In the ashes of Lirquén, a town rebuilds itself in the wake of Chile's deadly fires

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(22 Jan 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Lirquen, Chile - 21 January 2026 1. Various of people handling food supplies from moving truck 2. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Pamela Crisostomo, eighborhood President: “First, we had to accept what had happened, because no one could have imagined this. It was terrible to see our Lirquén destroyed. Because it wasn't just one town, it was many, and we heard about neighbors who had died. So now comes the most difficult stage, which is the clean up stage.” 3. Truck with rubble from burnt house 4. People removing rubble 5. Child on swing 6. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Juan Camilo Jimenez, World Central Kitchen Response Director: “We started with 200 because you have to start somewhere. It was Sunday after the first fires broke out, and as I said, we started delivering sandwiches and meals that same night, on Sunday, to collection centers, shelters, and fire stations. On Monday, we ramped up our efforts, and little by little, we are now delivering more than 6,000 meals a day, and we will increase that number as necessary.” 7. Juan Camilo Jimenez handing out meal 8. Miska Bastias opening bag with meal 9. Resident eating meal on swing 10. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Miska Bastias, resident: “It's incredible. Despite all the difficulties you can see, as you say, people are organizing themselves and helping each other. For example, you can go out on the street and help a neighbor you don't even know, but that's the idea.” 11. Smoke and fire in trees 12. Forest firefighters heading to the fire 13. Smoke column covering the sun STORYLINE: Thick smoke hanging over cities is a sign that deadly wildfires remain dangerously close across central and southern Chile. The blazes have burned more than 40,000 hectares (99,000 acres), killing at least 20 people, injuring about 300 and forcing tens of thousands to flee, leaving behind widespread devastation. Some communities, like the small fishing town of Lirquén, are only beginning to tally losses, while others such as Florida continue to face advancing flames that challenge firefighters and authorities. “This was hell,” resident Pamela Crisostomo told The Associated Press, saying she escaped with only the clothes she was wearing as a lifetime of work was destroyed in seconds. Lirquén has become the epicenter of the tragedy, with about 80% of the town burned and 17 of the confirmed fatalities. Although the main fires there are now controlled, small hotspots remain active in the surrounding hills as the town’s roughly 20,000 residents confront the daunting task of rebuilding. Volunteers and aid groups from across Chile and abroad have mobilized to provide food, water and medical care, while residents complain that official assistance has been slow to arrive. International organizations are delivering thousands of meals daily as medical teams treat injuries and trauma. Despite some progress on the ground, about 20 major fires remain active nationwide, fueled by strong winds and high temperatures, prompting new evacuations in places like Florida and raising fears the crisis could drag on for days. AP Video shot by Mauricio Cuevas =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/ae8a1b3f4ff44d3cb2111d4f42cacdb3