A large-scale forest fire was recorded last week in the Collpani sector, four kilometers from the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. More than fifty brigade members worked to quell the fire and prevent the Wonder of the World from suffering great damage.
The authorities have indicated that although the fire is not within the area of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, the ashes and smoke reached the ancient Inca city but that the archaeological park was out of danger.
The fire destroyed more than 20 hectares of vegetation and large losses in natural fauna are not yet ruled out. «We send specialized staff to the area called Mesada and fight the fire from two flanks on the way to Huillcar and Quebrada, where they carry out mitigation work,» said the head of the Risk Management office of the District Municipality of Machu Picchu Pueblo, Fernando Champi.