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.