SANTIAGO DE CHILE, 08 FEB – The extinguishing operations of a large number of fires that forced the government to declare a state of catastrophe in three regions (Nuble, Biobío and La Araucanía) have been going on for a week now in central and southern Chile : So far, 180 out of 264 fires have been brought under control. This was stated in a press conference by Interior Minister Carolina Tohá, who spoke of an emergency still underway, for which a fleet of as many as 122 aircraft is in action to fight forest fires. The most important of these, the minister indicated, a Boeing Ten Tanker capable of carrying 35,000 liters of water, has been at a standstill for about three days due to a failure in a valve that regulates the pressure of the engine that works for the collection and expulsion of water. (HANDLE).
(ANSA)
