Officials close down Chile's Torres del Paine national park as fires rage; blazes consume over 5700 hectares.
By REUTERSFires rage in Chilean Torres del Paine national park 311 R(photo credit: REUTERS)
Wildfires forced officials to close Torres del Paine national park on Friday. Located in the Chilean Patagonia, the park is a major tourist destination.The blazes have consumed over 5700 hectares despite the efforts of 120 fire-fighters. Officials say strong winds have pushed the fire along and complicated efforts to put out the blaze.RELATED:Russia submerges nuclear submarine to douse blazeWildfires break out in Western Galilee; arson suspectedThe national weather service predicted winds of up to 90 kilometers an hour on Friday.
A popular site because of its striking pinnacled peaks, thousands of tourists visit the park in the austral summer for hiking and camping.Chile was preparing to send another 67 fire-fighters and 50 soldiers as reinforcement. The Air Force was also providing a helicopter to join four planes already working in the area.
Related Tagschile
if(catID != 151){
var cont = `Take Israel home with the new Jerusalem Post Store
