Brazil: Situation critical as fires continue

Friday, 1 November 2019 13:22

Massive wildfires spanning 50 kilometers continue to burn across Southern Brazil.

They're advancing across the Pantanal wetlands, with at least 50,000 hectares destroyed so far.

It's considered to be one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.

The governor's office has called the situation "critical".

The fire started on October 25th and has been fueled by hot weather and strong winds.

According to official figures more than 167,000 forest fires have been recorded between January and October 30th this year.

More from International

Russian strikes kill 16 in Ukraine's Kyiv

Russian strikes have killed 16 people and injured more than 40 in Kyiv and the surrounding region on Thursday as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a failure by Ukraine's allies to replenish its stock of air defence missiles was costing lives.
Prince Harry and Meghan to move back to Britain

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan plan to move back to Britain this month, six years after they stepped down from their royal duties and relocated to the US, a source close to the couple said.
North Korea launches 10 ballistic missiles as US-South Korea drills near end

South Korea's presidential office has condemned North Korea's launch of more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles on Thursday and ordered its military to maintain full readiness during ongoing joint exercises with the United States.
Kenya tourist helicopter crash kills seven

Seven people, including five Americans, were killed on Wednesday when the tourist helicopter they were flying in crashed in Kenya's Samburu county.
US, South Korea to cut length, scope of military drills after Trump order

South Korea and the United States will cut short annual joint military drills to five days from 11 and scale back some field training, the allies said on Wednesday, after President Donald Trump ordered a substantial reduction in US participation.