Lirquen town in Chile starts assessing damages after fire

Video Description

(22 Jan 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Lirquen, Chile - 21 January 2026 1. Smoke and fire in trees 2. Truck with rubble from burnt house 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Nayara Batschke, The Associated Press: “Some places, like Lirquen, are just starting to recover. Hundreds of volunteers came to this small town to help locals with aid, food, water and other provisions." 4. Various of people handling food supplies from moving truck 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Nayara Batschke, The Associated Press: “We are here at the Canine Squad of the Chilean police. This mobile unit was built to offer first aid to pets and animals who suffered injuries by the wildfires that are consuming great part of the south of the country’. 6. Various of cat Lunar, suffering with eyes problems and burnt paws being treated by vets 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Nayara Batschke, The Associated Press: “This is the case of Negra, a little dog who was just brought by some locals after being found inside a house which was completely burnt”. 8. Vets vaccinating the dog Negra, with burnt feet 9. SOUNDBITE (English) Nayara Batschke, The Associated Press: “It's a massive collective effort to help those who from, one night to another, lost everything”. 10. People removing rubble 11. Smoke covering the sun STORYLINE: The thick smoke hovering over the village of Lirquén is a grim reminder that the flames are still nearby. The devastating wildfires ravaging central and southern Chile show no signs of easing: they have already consumed about 450 square kilometers (170 square miles) of land and left at least 20 people dead, some 300 injured, tens of thousands evacuated, and an incalculable trail of destruction. While some communities are just beginning to assess the damage, others continue to face fast-moving flames that strain firefighters and local authorities. Lirquén has emerged as the epicenter of the disaster, with roughly 80% of its land burned and 17 of the confirmed deaths recorded there. Although the main fires in the area are now under control, small hotspots persist in the surrounding hills. Home to about 20,000 residents, the town is entering a difficult phase of recovery as families confront the loss of homes and livelihoods. AP reporter Nayara Batschke, who visited Lirquén also discovered the Canine Squad of the Chilean police in action. This mobile unit was built to offer first aid to pets and animals who suffered injuries by the wildfires. A cat and a dog were receiving care in the eyes and burnt paws. Volunteers and aid organizations from across Chile and abroad have mobilized to deliver food, water and basic medical care, filling gaps as residents criticize the slow arrival of official assistance. International groups are distributing thousands of meals daily and providing emergency health services. Meanwhile, about 20 large fires remain active nationwide, fueled by strong winds and high temperatures, prompting fresh evacuations in places such as Florida and raising concerns that the crisis could continue for several more 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/2e38c5f612924c858c50b32c4b0c2acb