Chile fights wildfires that killed 19 and forced massive evacuations

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Firefighters in Chile are battling forest fires Monday that have killed at least 19 people and forced 50,000 to evacuate their homes as they swept through thousands of acres in the center and south of the country.

Fifteen wildfires were still active Monday after fires started Sunday in the South American nation, according to the National Service for the Prevention of Disasters. The agency said the wildfires have destroyed homes, vehicles, infrastructure and forests.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the central Biobio and neighboring Ñuble regions on Sunday. The emergency designation allows greater coordination with the military to rein wildfires.

The president said that the wildfires have blazed through at least 30,000 hectares, an area that is roughly five times the size of Manhattan Island.

“Controlling fires of this magnitude, with unfavorable weather conditions like high temperature, wind, and a lack of humidity is a tremendously difficult job,” Boric said in a press conference Monday.

The president thanked nations that have sent firefighters and supplies to Chile, including Mexico, Argentina and Brazil.

Chilean officials said that 325 homes have been destroyed by the wildfires, while another 1,140 homes have been damaged.

Police are investigating the causes of the current spate of wildfires. Boric on Monday said that in “99% of cases” wildfires in Chile are the result of human behavior.

Wildfires are common in Chile during the summer due to high temperatures and dry weather. The current outbreak of fires in central and southern Chile is one of the deadliest in recent years.

In 2024, massive fires ripping across Chile’s central coastline killed at least 130 people, becoming the nation’s deadliest natural disaster since a devastating 2010 earthquake.

A woman holds a cat rescued after wildfires swept through homes near Lirquen, Chile, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Javier Torres)

CORRECTS NAME TO VICTOR SILVA AND REMOVES ANDRES GARRIDO - Resident Victor Silva pushes a wheelbarrow with gas cylinders burned when wildfires destroyed homes in Tome, Chile, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Javier Torres)

Residential areas burned by wildfires stretch across Tome, Chile, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Javier Torres)

A Chilean flag is covered by the Spanish message: "Punta Arenas rises" at a home destroyed by wildfires in Tome, Chile, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Javier Torres)

A police officer clears burned roofing sheets from a home destroyed by wildfires in Tome, Chile, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Javier Torres)

Resident Andres Garrido pushes a wheelbarrow with gas cylinders burned when wildfires destroyed homes in Tome, Chile, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Javier Torres)

Andres Garrido carries burned roofing sheets at his home after it was burned by wildfires in Tome, Chile, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Javier Torres)

Mirtza Aguilera, right, and her daughter embrace in front of their home burned by wildfires in Tome, Chile, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Javier Torres)

MADRID (AP) — There was an uncertainty among Real Madrid fans before Wednesday’s Champions League match against Manchester City.

It has a new and untested coach, recently lost two league games in a row, and last weekend required a last-minute deflection to beat Celta Vigo.

Federico Valverde dispelled their doubts in a scintillating first 45 minutes, scoring a sublime hat trick en route to Madrid's 3-0 victory in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Valverde completed a quick counterattack and rounded goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with a deft touch to score the opener after 20 minutes.

He ran on to a pass from Vinicius Junior and then fired home a low shot with his weaker left foot seven minutes later to make it 2-0.

The Uruguay midfielder saved the best for last, taking Brahim Diaz’s clever chip and then knocking it over the outstretched leg of Marc Guéhi before volleying past Donnarumma to make it 3-0 three minutes before halftime.

The home fans chanted his name as the teams walked off.

“You dream of nights like this,” he told broadcaster Movistar before adding that this was perhaps his greatest performance in all white. “I had fun tonight. It’s been a long time since I enjoyed a game like I did this one.”

The win capped what has been a remarkable few months for the 27-year-old Uruguayan. Valverde has been a versatile and reliable figure for Madrid this turbulent season and particularly since the turn of the year.

Kylian Mbappé, out injured against City, has scored the goals, and Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham have taken the headlines.

But through it all, Valverde has remained a solid and reliable presence at midfield or full back, missing only one Champions league match and one La Liga game all season.

That dependability is priceless for Álvaro Arbeloa. Even better news for the new coach is Valverde appears to be hitting peak form.

Never the most prolific goalscorer, Valverde has stepped up with Mbappé and Bellingham out injured. All six of his goals this season have come since January.

“It doesn’t matter where you play him,” Arbeloa said. “He is the reference point. Fede Valverde is everything a Real Madrid player should be.”

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Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa hugs Federico Valverde after he scored during a first leg round of 16 Champions League soccer match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Real Madrid's Federico Valverde celebrates after scoring during a first leg round of 16 Champions League soccer match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Real Madrid's Federico Valverde celebrates after scoring during a first leg round of 16 Champions League soccer match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Real Madrid's Federico Valverde celebrates after scoring during a first leg round of 16 Champions League soccer match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)