Punta Arenas, Chile – Video filmed by X user Carla Montserrat shows thick smoke rising from wildfires in southern Argentina, captured from a commercial flight departing Chile on the early morning of January 14, 2026.

The video, taken through an airplane window near the wing, shows vast columns of gray-white smoke spreading across forested and mountainous terrain. The haze initially appeared like morning fog over Lago Todos los Santos but became clearly identifiable as smoke drifting from fires in Argentine Patagonia.

The footage reveals rugged Andean foothills, lakes, and valleys partially obscured by the smoke. In places, columns rise vertically before spreading into a dense veil, creating a stark contrast with the clear blue sky above. The airplane wing and engine are visible in the frame, adding to the in-flight perspective.

No flames are directly seen due to the distance, but the density and scale of the smoke indicate large, active wildfires in Argentine provinces such as Neuquén, Río Negro, or Chubut.

In the post, the filmer wrote, “My heart doesn’t love this. Fire from Argentina seen from a flight through Chile to Punta Arenas. I thought it was fog over Lake Todos los Santos but it’s smoke.”

This footage highlights the severe wildfire season affecting southern Argentina during the austral summer of 2025–2026, fueled by drought, high temperatures, strong winds, and dry vegetation. Smoke from these fires has been visible across long distances, impacting air quality in neighboring Chile and prompting ongoing firefighting efforts.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download