Peru forest fires continue near Machu Picchu
Peru forest fires continue near Machu Picchu
24 September 2008
published by www.mercurynews.com
Peru — Peru’s National Institute of Culture says firefighters are close to controlling two forest fires that have disrupted tourism near the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco.
Andina state news agency reports that the National Institute of Culture’s Deputy Director Jorge Prado says firefighters have the fires “practically controlled” on Tuesday.
Andina reported Tuesday that the fires forced PeruRail to suspend rail service to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu for several hours on Monday but that the train is running normally Tuesday.
National Institute of Culture Director Jorge Zegarra Balcázar said Monday in a press communique that no archaeological sites are threatened.
The fires began Saturday and have burned through some 700 hectares of underbrush.
