PERU · WILDFIRES
Key Facts
- —What is happening Chile has sent an Airbus AS350B3 helicopter to Cusco for seven days and 35 flight hours to fight wildfires, announced on Saturday, 24 October.
- —Why it matters Peru’s wildfires have killed at least 12 people and affected 832, mostly with burns, in the latest national count, dated Monday, 19 October.
- —The numbers The helicopter carries up to 900 litres (about 238 US gallons) of water. Chile pays US$139,997.55, about US$4,000 per flight hour by simple division, from emergency funds.
- —Who is who Peru’s request came from its embassy in Chile on 13 October. Chile’s Interior Undersecretary Máximo Pavez and the forestry agency Conaf arranged the aid.
- —What to watch The next Indeci casualty count, any Peruvian request to extend the seven-day mission, and the fires in Río Tambo in Junín, which Indeci called the most critical.
- —Power Index Peru ranks 5th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 54.7 points (October 2026 edition).
- —What it means for you American travellers to Cusco and Machu Picchu should check local fire and road conditions before booking, because fires were active in the region on 19 October.
Chile has sent a firefighting helicopter to Peru’s Andes, where wildfires have killed at least 12 people. More than 800 people are affected.
Chile has sent an Airbus AS350B3 firefighting helicopter to Cusco, where Peru wildfires have killed at least 12 people. Chile’s Interior Undersecretariat announced the aid on Saturday, 24 October, and BioBioChile reported it again on Monday, 26 October.
The helicopter carries up to 900 litres (about 238 US gallons) of water and costs US$139,997.55 for seven days. Cusco is the gateway city for Machu Picchu, which many American travellers visit.
What Chile Is Sending
Chile’s Interior Undersecretariat and forestry agency Conaf arranged the aircraft after Peru’s embassy asked for help on Tuesday, 13 October. The request went to Chile’s Foreign Ministry, La Hora and El Dínamo reported.
Conaf hired the helicopter from Transportes Aéreos Puma SpA through an emergency direct contract. The US$139,997.55 bill comes from the Interior Undersecretariat’s emergency funds, BioBioChile and La Hora reported.
The aircraft is based in Cusco and can also work in Puno and Junín if Peruvian authorities ask. Peruvian authorities will coordinate its work and set the priority zones, BioBioChile reported.
Interior Undersecretary Máximo Pavez said President José Antonio Kast asked him to put Chile’s capacity at the disposal of Peru’s senior officials. He then called Peru’s vice president, Luis Galarreta, and defence minister, Rafael Belaunde, La Hora reported.
The price works out at about US$4,000 for each of the 35 flight hours, though it also covers crew, maintenance and logistics. That is a rough calculation from the published figures, not an official unit price.
How Bad the Peru Wildfires Are
Peru’s civil defence institute, Indeci, counted 12 dead and 832 people affected, mostly with burns, by Monday, 19 October. An Indeci official gave the figures to the broadcaster Exitosa, Gestión reported.
The dead were four in Cusco, three in Cajamarca, two in Apurímac, two in Pasco and one in Puno. Vásquez said many injured people had not yet been reported, so the true toll may be higher.
That day Indeci counted 12 active fires and 12 controlled ones. The most critical was Río Tambo in Junín, with four active fires.
On Monday, 19 October, Cusco officials counted 350 fires this year, 11,700 hectares affected and 7 deaths, Peru’s Congress press office reported. That is about 45 square miles, roughly twice the size of Manhattan.
Dry, hot and windy weather has pushed the flames across grassland, native forest and farmland, Diario Correo reported on 8 October. The weather service Senamhi links the dry spell to El Niño, Actualidad Ambiental reported.
By 10 October, Defensa Civil counted 1,138 hectares of farmland lost this year, plus 920 animals affected, 88 of them dead. Experts cited by Actualidad Ambiental say most fires are started by people, often burning pasture.
Why Peru Asked for Help
El Peruano reported on 12 October two bucket helicopters and a Spartan plane in Cusco, plus one helicopter in Junín. Each bucket holds 1,200 litres (about 317 US gallons), and the Spartan’s tank holds 1,000 litres.
President Keiko Fujimori said the two Cusco helicopters will stay until about November, Forbes Perú reported. Agriculture Minister Marco Vinelli said the same on Sunday, 11 October, Andina reported.
Peru has bought more buckets, mainly for next year, which is forecast to be hard because of El Niño, El Peruano reported. Chile’s helicopter adds to the aircraft Peru has already sent, which El Peruano listed on 12 October.
In Plain English
- Indeci is Peru’s national civil defence institute, which counts the dead and the fires.
- Conaf is Chile’s national forestry corporation, which hired the helicopter.
- Helicopter bucket is a large water bag that hangs under a helicopter and is dropped on flames.
- El Niño is a warming of Pacific waters that changes weather, here linked to drought in the Andes.
What It Means for US Readers
Cusco is the gateway to Machu Picchu, and officials counted six active fires in the Cusco region on 19 October. Americans planning trips should read the State Department’s current Peru advisory and check local conditions.
None of the Peruvian reports reviewed mentions a closure of Machu Picchu, rail lines or main roads. Officials urge residents not to fight fires alone or burn pasture, Forbes Perú reported on 15 October.
For investors, the sources give no estimate of the economic damage, so the fires remain a local emergency. Earlier reports cover the 12 deaths and El Niño, the 58 active fires and the government’s El Niño flood response.
The safety guide for foreigners in Peru adds travel context. The report on Fujimori’s approval rating shows the political backdrop.
What Is Not Known
The current death toll is not confirmed. The 12 dead and 832 affected date from 19 October, and Chilean reports repeat them; no newer Indeci figure was found.
Cusco’s regional count of 7 deaths differs from Indeci’s four in that region, so the sources use different tallies. The area burned nationwide is not reported.
Chile’s own statement could not be opened, so the aid details rest on three Chilean outlets. El Dínamo gave no price, and no source states the start date of the seven days.
The US State Department advisory page for Peru could not be opened for this check, so its level is not stated here. Read it directly before booking.
No Peruvian official statement on the Chilean helicopter was found. La Hora says the aircraft is already operating in Cusco, but no flight report or arrival date was found.
What Comes Next
The mission is short and fixed at seven days, and the sources do not say whether Peru has asked for an extension. Peru’s own two Cusco helicopters are due to stay until about November.
Fresh Indeci figures will show whether the toll has moved beyond 12. El Peruano reports that next year is forecast to be harder because of El Niño.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Chile sending a helicopter to Peru?
Peru’s embassy asked Chile for help on 13 October as wildfires spread across the Andes. Chile’s government says the aid follows an instruction from President Kast.
How many people have died in Peru’s wildfires?
Indeci counted 12 dead and 832 affected on 19 October. No newer national figure was found.
What helicopter is Chile sending?
It is an Airbus AS350B3 that can carry up to 900 litres of water. It is hired for seven days and 35 flight hours.
How much does Chile’s help cost?
Chile pays US$139,997.55 from the Interior Undersecretariat’s emergency funds. That is about US$4,000 per flight hour by simple division, including crew and maintenance.
Is it safe to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu?
Officials counted six active fires in the Cusco region on 19 October. Check the State Department advisory and local fire and road conditions before you go.
Sources: BioBioChile, 26 October; La Hora, 24 October; El Dínamo, 24 October; Gestión, Indeci figures, 19 October; Actualidad Ambiental, 20 October; Actualidad Ambiental, Serfor and Defensa Civil, 10 October; Congress of Peru, Cusco emergency centre, 19 October; El Peruano, 12 October; Andina, 12 October; Diario Correo, 8 October; Forbes Perú, 15 October (all accessed 26 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief