Southern Chile is on edge as the Penko Wildfire surges out of control in Concepcion, prompting the mass exodus of more than 20,000 individuals. The 23-km inferno endangers thousands of homes and Penko-Lirquen Hospital, with a dire warning: shifting winds could propel it straight to the Indura gas plant, spelling massive destruction.
Fueled by chronic aridity and ferocious Puenche gusts, the blaze races through Bio Bio’s explosive eucalyptus and pine stands. Chile’s forestry experts have red-flagged the zone as ultra-high risk—a volatile mix of urban sprawl and imported woodlands.
Heart-stopping videos from residents capture the fury: engulfed hillsides adjacent to communities and industry, under a smoke-shrouded orange dome. Evacuations are in full swing, with medical teams bracing for emergency patient relocations.
Ground crews fight valiantly over rough access routes, their efforts hampered by erratic winds. No injuries confirmed, but vigilance is key. SENAPRED activates emergency SAE notifications, beseeching evacuation from hotspots and calm cooperation with on-scene responders.
As night falls, the stakes couldn’t be higher—containing this beast is Chile’s top priority to prevent an unprecedented disaster.