|
SANTIAGO, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- A spate of forest fires in Chile lasting from Jan. 18 to Feb. 5 devastated 467,000 hectares, causing an estimated loss of 26.5 million U.S. dollars, the country's National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) said on Friday.
A total of more than 700 forest fires, which mostly affected the regions of Coquimbo and La Araucania, were considered the worst in the country's history, claiming 11 lives, mainly firefighters, and leaving more than 1,000 people homeless.
According to the Conaf, the fires were among the largest ones worldwide in this century. The worst one was registered in Alberta, Canada, where 700,000 hectares were burnt.
The government has earmarked 333 million dollars for reconstruction.
Some 20,000 firefighters and volunteers, as well as 49 aircraft, were mobilized to battle the blazes.
