Chilean President Says Torres del Paine Fire Now under Control
The fire that broke out in the Chilean Patagonia Torres del Paine national park forest is under control due to the effort of hundreds of fire-fighters and improved climatic conditions, Chilean President Sebastián Piñera announced Monday afternoon.
The Israeli citizen accused of having caused the fire denied his involvement.The Park will open partially initially on Wednesday The Park will open partially initially on Wednesday
As many as 12.795 hectares have been lost to the fires, two thirds of which grasslands and steppes, and a third native forest. Over 750 fire-fighters including from neighboring Argentina and Uruguay are involved in the task.
Piñera who was strongly criticized for the slow reaction of his government to the major environmental disaster, said that the “fire broke out in an area of very difficult access but we have provided all the resources requested, even more”.
The original idea was to close the park for the whole month, however since it is one of the main sources of summer employment and revenue for nearby Puerto Natales (12.000 population), local politicians called for a more pragmatic approach to minimize disruption to tourism and local businesses.
Torres del Paine boasts 242.000 hectares of pristine Patagonian topography and wildlife and receives 150.000 visitors annually. It was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
Israeli citizen Rotem Singer, 23, has been charged withstarting the fire after he allegedly did not put out a toilet paper roll fire correctly, but he denied the charges. If he is found guilty he could face up to 60 days in prison and a fine of around 300 dollars.
