Security & Strategic Review - February 2026

Chile’s summer season (December-February) is the hottest and driest period of the year, with the risk of forest fire outbreaks rising significantly. The Chilean branch of international environmental NGO Greenpeace has expressed regret over how fires have become normalised and warns that forest fire seasons are becoming more intense. Political leaders such as the outgoing left-wing President Gabriel Boric and incoming right-wing President-elect José Antonio Kast have signalled intentions to work together on relief and reconstruction efforts, but Greenpeace has emphasised the need for new fire prevention legislation to be passed.