Ticino fire brought under control

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Firefighters are bringing the forest blaze that’s been raging in Ticino under control.

The teams have been helped mainly as the wind, which has been fanning the flames for the last few days, has started to die down. 

Six helicopters have been dumping water on the forest non-stop. 

The amount of damage is becoming clearer. Authorities believe around 200 hectares have been destroyed – that’s around the size of 300 soccer fields. 

Emergency water supplies are being sent to surrounding villages as the tap water has been declared unfit to drink – or even for laundry. 

The cost of the fire is now being added up – it’s expected the final bill will run into millions of francs. 

Two men from canton Schwyz have been charged for negligently causing a fire after police believe their campfire started it all. 

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