July 1, 2022, 10:28 | Updated pick July 1, 2022, 14:47
Firefighters are battling a forest fire near the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.
The fire broke out near Lamachan, part of the Machu Pichu Archaeological Park in the southern Peruvian province of Cusco, the head of the Machu Picchu Historical Temple, Ernesto Escalante Valencia, told Peruvian news agency Andina.
The fire started on Monday and is far away, and the eclipse has hampered the efforts of firefighters, said Roberto Abarka, director of the Cusco Risk Management and Security Bureau.
It began by burning grass and debris and preparing farmers to plant crops, Reuters reported.
As of Wednesday, some 49 acres[49 ha]had been affected by the blaze, according to the mayor of the nearby town of Cusco.
The ancient city of Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Andes Mountains.
Built in the 1400s, the mysterious Inca Tower was built on three main structures: the Initatana, the Solar Temple, and the three windows.
The ruins of the holy Inca, which made the surrounding Cusco region a tourist destination in Peru, are considered one of the seven wonders of the world.
The site is visited by more than a million people every year.
(C) Sky News 2022 ፡ Firefighters are battling a wildfire near Peruvian Machu Picchu
