In a span of four hours, Chile activated four red alerts for forest fires near populated areas in the Ñuble, Biobío, Araucanía, and Maule regions. The latest blaze, named “Las Margaritas” in Cauquenes, has consumed one hectare and is under combat. These emergencies follow a recent fire in the same commune that damaged 414 hectares and homes.
After 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the National Service for Prevention and Response to Disasters (Senapred) declared a red alert for the commune of Cauquenes in the Maule Region due to the “Las Margaritas” forest fire. This blaze, under combat according to the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf), has consumed one hectare of vegetation near inhabited areas.
This marks the fourth red alert declared in just four hours for similar emergencies. At 4:26 p.m., Senapred activated the measure in Tirúa, Biobío Region, for the “360-Tranicura” fire, affecting four hectares. Local firefighters, two vehicles, six Conaf ground brigades, two technicians, and two tanker planes are operating there, with no reported damage to people or homes.
At 6:06 p.m., a red alert was declared in Ránquil, Ñuble Region, for “Perales Biobío”, which has devastated two hectares near populated zones. Volunteers from local firefighters, one technician, six Conaf brigades, three helicopters, and five tanker planes are working on site.
Finally, at 7:02 p.m., in Collipulli, Araucanía Region, the fire on “camino San Andrés” has consumed 27 hectares near residential areas. Firefighters from Collipulli and Ercilla, along with six Conaf brigades, one technician, one plane, and one helicopter, are combating the flames.
These alerts are based on technical information from Conaf and mobilize additional resources from Senapred, Conaf, and firefighters to control the fires. In Cauquenes, this new fire adds to a recent one, “San Pedro”, controlled on Monday, January 11, which affected 414 hectares and more than a dozen homes, leading to evacuations in areas like San Pedro and Pedernales.
