Gov’t extends state of catastrophe in Chilean areas damaged by fires

Santiago de Chile, Mar 4 (Prensa Latina) The Chilean government extended for another 30 days the state of catastrophe for the central-southern regions affected by forest fires, which today are under control thanks to the efforts of national and foreign brigades.

The measure, published in the Official Gazette, will remain in force in Ñuble, Biobío and La Araucanía, the regions most devastated by the fire which started a month ago, which left 26 dead, 2,423 houses destroyed and 440,976 hectares of forests, crops and pastures devoured.

According to the decree signed by the President of the Republic, Gabriel Boric, the aforementioned zones will be under the immediate dependence of the heads of national defense, designated by the President.

According to the most recent balance of the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service, there are still 21 fires raging, 138 are already controlled and 37 have been extinguished.

The international rescue workers, who at the most difficult moment numbered some 800, have already concluded their work and in the last few hours the brigades from Mexico and Spain returned to their countries.

Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, Ecuador, among other nations, also contributed to fighting the fires, considered the deadliest in years.