Curitiba, September 23, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The fight against the forest fire that, since Sunday (21), has been destroying vegetation in the Ilha Grande National Park, on the border between Paraná and Mato Grosso, received reinforcements. Municipal governments in the Northwest regions of the two states, employees of the Itaipu Hydroelectric Company, and other volunteers arrived today to help in the effort.

Dry weather and winds in the region are making it difficult to combat the flames. According to the park's environmental analyst, Patrícia Rodrigues, around 2.5 thousand hectares belonging to the reserve have already been burnt. In addition to two helicopters from the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama), which are helping to transport water from the river to the scene of the fire, a Civil Defense helicopter is expected to arrive today. (DAS)