This image, captured by Copernicus Sentinel-3 on Jan. 18, 2026, shows clouds of smoke from wildfires on the coast of Chile.
The fires have been burning in numerous locations along Chile’s coast, including in the regions of Ñuble and Biobío, where a state of catastrophe has been declared.
This image shows one of the most badly affected areas, near the city of Concepcion, approximately 570 kilometers southwest of the capital Santiago. The fires have been exacerbated by intense heat in the region and high winds, with parts of central and southern Chile forecast to reach temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius. Hundreds of homes have been destroyed in the fire, and at least 19 casualties have been reported.
Image Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2026), processed by ESA
