January 19–21, 2026 — Wildfires are already causing deadly impacts and raising concern about an intense global fire season ahead, authorities and experts say.

Deadly Fires in Chile
Massive wildfires in central and southern Chile have killed at least 19 people and forced over 50,000 residents to evacuate so far. The government declared a state of catastrophe in the Ñuble and Biobío regions, mobilizing military support and emergency resources as firefighters battle dozens of blazes amid extreme heat, strong winds, and drought. Homes, infrastructure, and forests have been destroyed, and the toll may rise. (AP News)

Australia’s Bushfire Season Intensifies
Australia’s 2025-26 bushfire season is proving severe, with large areas burned across multiple states, including hundreds of thousands of hectares in Victoria and ongoing fires in South Australia. At least one death has been reported, and hundreds of homes and structures have been destroyed as rural communities struggle with dangerous fire conditions. Officials warn the season may remain active for weeks. (Wikipedia)

Regional Outlooks for 2026

North America:
Most of the U.S. currently sees typical winter conditions, but fire weather alerts have been reported in parts of the Plains due to high winds and low humidity. Fire risk is expected to rise into spring and summer as vegetation dries. (Meteorologists routinely issue such forecasts during transitional seasons.)

Europe:
Winter has been relatively quiet, but fire experts warn that hot, dry conditions this coming summer—especially in southern and central Europe—could elevate wildfire risk significantly (consistent with recent Mediterranean fire seasons). (Le Monde.fr)

South America:
Chile remains at peak risk through late summer months as the season’s worst fires continue. Conditions in neighboring Argentina also show fire activity influenced by dry, warm weather.

Africa:
Researchers highlight that rising human exposure to wildfires is especially acute in Africa, despite less media attention. One scientific analysis found that Africa accounts for roughly 85 % of global human exposure to wildfire risk—a striking contrast to the raw area burned. (ScienceDaily)

Long-Term Fire Risk Trends

Multiple scientific assessments project that extreme wildfires will increase globally over coming decades due to climate change and land-use patterns:

• Up to ~14 % more extreme fires by 2030

• ~30 % more by 2050

• ~50 % more by the end of the century

These figures come from modeled projections of wildfire risk and frequency under warming scenarios. (UNEP - UN Environment Programme)

What’s Driving the Increase?

Experts point to several overlapping drivers behind the growing wildfire threat:

• Climate change: hotter heatwaves, prolonged droughts, and altered fire weather conditions are lengthening fire seasons and intensifying individual events. (Met Office)

• Human factors: more people living near wildlands increases ignition risks and exposure. (ScienceDaily)

• Fuel accumulation: landscapes with heavy vegetation buildup become more prone to large, intense blazes.

Summary

As of early 2026, wildfire activity is already deadly in parts of the Southern Hemisphere and forecast models suggest fire risk will rise in many regions throughout the year. The current Chilean and Australian fires are early signs of what scientists warn could be another severe fire season globally, with long-term trends pointing toward more frequent and intense extreme wildfires.

Additional sources:

• Sources: CNN, PBS, NBC, Al Jazeera, CBS News

• Official agency: CONAF (Chile's National Forestry Corporation)

• AFAC (Australian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council)

• Emergency Management Victoria

• ICA (Insurance Council of Australia)

• vic.gov.au (official Victoria government website)

NIFC (National Interagency Fire Center) - www.nifc.gov

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