Machu Picchu In Peru, A Wonder Of The World, Is Engulfed By Forest Fire Started By Farmers

Peruvian firefighters were fighting to contain a forest fire near the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu on Thursday, as the fire threatened to close in on the ancient city high in the Andean mountains.

The fire, which had engulfed an area about half the size of Vatican City, was started on Tuesday by farmers burning grass and debris to prepare to sow new crops.

As of Wednesday, about 20 hectares (49 acres) had been affected by the fire, the mayor of the nearby city of Cusco said.

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Machu Picchu, a complex of stone structures sitting atop a mountain, was built more than 500 years ago by the Incas, whose empire controlled large swaths of South America from what is today southern Ecuador to central Chile.

The fire's remoteness has hindered firefighters' efforts.

Peruvian firefighters were fighting to contain a forest fire near the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu as the blaze threatened to close in on the ancient city high in the Andean mountains https://t.co/SANkg8lIKp pic.twitter.com/vvkSDloQ22

¡ª Reuters (@Reuters) July 1, 2022

"We have already been fighting the forest fire for two days and it has not been possible to get it under control, given the area is quite inaccessible," said Roberto Abarca, director of the Cusco risk management and security office.

tw/smoke, fire
PLS SPREAD??
MACHU PICCHU, ON OF THE 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD IS ON FIRE. HELP US REACH HELP, AUTHORITIES HAVENT SPOKE ABOUT THE MATTER AND IS JUST TODAY, 2 DAYS AFTER IT STARTED, THAT WE KNOW. pic.twitter.com/kWrHjx8Mzo

¡ª XLIEN ? (@itsxlien) September 13, 2020

The breathtaking ruins, which have made the surrounding Cusco region Peru's top tourist destination, are considered one of the new seven wonders of the world.

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