Following yesterday's update on the Plaza Sur fire in Las Condes, the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) reports 16 forest fires under combat across Chile as of Jan. 1 evening amid extreme heat. Key incidents in the Metropolitan Region and La Araucanía see aerial and ground resources deployed, with several alerts lifted; authorities urge fire prevention.
The National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) updated its tally on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, at 7:10 p.m., reporting 16 forest fires active nationwide—up from six earlier that day in the Metropolitan Region, La Araucanía, and Los Lagos—fueled by high temperatures.
The Plaza Sur fire in Las Condes, previously reported at over 970 hectares and under yellow alert, has now consumed 1,012 hectares but is controlled. Operations involved 10 technicians, four brigades, a tanker truck, heavy machinery, three Conaf helicopters, plus support from Carabineros, Las Condes Municipality, and ACHS. A preventive evacuation occurred, with hot spots lingering in Quebrada de Ramón; the communal alert was canceled.
In La Araucanía, 'San Juan 3' in Angol burned 30 hectares, triggering a now-lifted red alert. Resources included a command post, four technicians, five brigades, a tanker plane, helicopter, tanker truck, and heavy machinery. A fire in Victoria disrupted Ruta 5 Sur traffic.
Metropolitan Region's 'Lomas del Águila' in Paine affected 1.5 hectares near homes, under Senapred red alert, with one technician, four brigades, tanker truck, coordination plane, tanker plane, and four helicopters, aided by firefighters.
In O'Higgins, 'San Joaquín 2' on the Machalí-Rancagua border threatened 30 homes but was controlled after 4 hectares, per regional director Oscar Galdames, who stressed prevention amid heat and other regional fires.
Smaller fires prompted red alerts in Angol ('San Juan 3', 0.01 ha residential) and Maule ('Los Patos', 0.5 ha). Conaf advises against rural fire use and prompt reporting.
