In 2024, Chile experienced devastating wildfires resulting in 133 deaths. While initial investigations did not attribute climate change to the extreme events, a subsequent analysis indicated that the conditions created by climate change were conducive to further wildfires. Just two years later, the impact worsened with 23 deaths, hundreds injured, and 52,000 people displaced due to the devastating fires which were linked to global warming.

According to a new analysis from the World Weather Attribution (WWA), a consortium of scientists, the probability of fire-conducive weather conditions in Chile increased threefold due to current global warming levels, which are 1.3°C higher than pre-industrial levels. This finding highlights the significant role that climate change plays in exacerbating extreme weather events, including wildfires.

In neighboring Argentina, the province of Chubut is still battling ongoing fires, with a current study indicating that the likelihood of extreme weather conditions conducive to fires is 2.5 times greater than it was in the past. This alarming trend underscores the growing threats posed by climate change in the region, urging immediate action to mitigate risks and adapt to the changing environmental landscape.