The National Service for Prevention and Response to Disasters (Senapred) has requested the evacuation of several sectors in Cauquenes, in the Maule Region, due to a forest fire threatening inhabited areas. A red alert remains in place for the commune as crews and aerial resources battle the blaze that has affected at least 70 hectares.
On Sunday, January 11, 2026, a forest fire known as “San Pedro” broke out in the commune of Cauquenes, in the Maule Region, prompting the activation of a red alert by authorities. The blaze, located near inhabited areas, has consumed at least 70 hectares of land, according to the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf).
Senapred ordered the immediate evacuation of the San Pedro, Pedernales, Lote Vistas de Caliboro, and Mirador el Caliboro sectors. To facilitate the process, SAE messaging was activated, and technical agencies were deployed on the ground. “Act with calm and follow the instructions of the authorities,” Senapred urged residents.
Conaf responded with a significant deployment: one technician, eight brigades, three helicopters, three tanker planes, one heavy helicopter, one heavy tanker plane, three heavy machinery units, and two institutional tanker trucks. Additional aerial and ground resources from a company and two fire departments were also involved.
The Municipality of Cauquenes, led by Mayor Jorge Muñoz, coordinated actions on the ground. In a social media statement, they warned: “We call on the community to avoid risk tourism and not approach the affected areas, which have been declared in emergency, in order not to endanger their safety or hinder the work of the response teams.”
Álvaro Altamirano, Head of the National Early Warning Unit, provided updates on the evacuation. The emergency remains ongoing, with emphasis on population safety and fire control.
