Forest fire causes huge losses in Uruguay
Forest fire causes huge losses in Uruguay
21 January 2005
publishedby www.chinaview.cn
MONTEVIDEO, Jan. 20 (Xinhuanet) — A forest fire that broke out Sunday in Uruguay’s southeast department of Rocha has resulted in about 10 million US dollars in losses, the EI Pais daily reported Thursday.
The fire, which has been partially controlled, destroyed 450 hectares of trees and forced an evacuation of 3,000 people in the small town of La Esmeralda, about 280 km from the capital.
Commander of the fire brigade, Roque Alvarez, said the fire waspartially controlled, but vigilance was necessary to avoid the recurrence of the fire by wind.
The daily also said firemen have extinguished two other forest fires in the country.
Specialists attributed the forest fires to high temperatures, strong winds, drought and human irresponsibility. Enditem
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