Curfew Decreed in Communes of Biobío Due to Forest Fires: Measure Will Not Apply in Ñuble

Within the framework of the serious emergency caused by the forest fires affecting the regions of Ñuble and Biobío, the Chief of National Defense (Jedena) of Biobío, Rear Admiral Edgardo Acevedo, confirmed the implementation of a curfew in various communes and sectors of the region, as part of the extraordinary measures adopted to confront the catastrophe.

The decision comes after the declaration of a State of Constitutional Exception of Catastrophe decreed by President Gabriel Boric, following mass evacuations recorded in communes such as Quillón and Ránquil, in Ñuble, and Penco, Tomé, Florida, Nacimiento, Laja, and sectors of Concepción, in Biobío.

Communes and curfew hours

According to information provided by the military authority, the curfew is in effect from this Sunday, January 18, 2026, until further notice, with differentiated hours depending on the affected territory:

Lirquén sector (Penco commune):

🔒 From 7:00 PM until 6:00 AM the following day.

Penco commune (except Lirquén):

🔒 From 8:00 PM until 6:00 AM.

Nacimiento commune:

🔒 From 8:00 PM until 6:00 AM.

Laja commune:

🔒 From 8:00 PM until 6:00 AM.

Rear Admiral Acevedo explained that the stricter hours in the Lirquén sector are due to the magnitude of the damage caused by the fire, the existence of active rekindlings, and the need to facilitate the work of emergency teams and the Investigative Police, especially in areas where fatalities were recorded.

Furthermore, he emphasized that the restriction aims to keep routes clear for the transit of emergency vehicles and to safeguard the safety of the population.

Ñuble remains without a curfew

In contrast, the Minister of the Interior, Álvaro Elizalde, confirmed that a curfew will not be decreed in the Ñuble region, despite it also being under a State of Catastrophe.

The authority explained that, for the moment, the necessary conditions to adopt a movement restriction measure in that region are not met, specifying that the Government's focus is on reinforcing the deployment of resources, improving the coordination of emergency teams, and protecting the population in the most affected sectors.

Elizalde reiterated the call for citizens to respect evacuations, comply with authorities' instructions, and avoid behaviors that could generate new fire outbreaks, especially given the adverse weather conditions forecast for the coming hours.