Patagonia Expedition Race

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Torres del Paine Burning

Jacqueline Windh / 01.03.2005

Torres del Paine National Park and UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve is burning.

It was with great sadness that we learned, upon our return to Punta Arenas following the race, that a tourist who was illegally camping in a prohibited area had upset his camp stove and ignited the pampas. The Patagonian winds quickly spread the flames, as sparks flying clear across rivers set new centres burning, and the fire was quickly out of control.

As of today (27 February), the fire has been burning for ten days, and more than 14,000 hectares of forest and pampa have been destroyed. Rain over the last few days has helped to slow the spread of the fire.
The fire started near Laguna Azul, in the northeast part of the park, where Patagonia Expedition Race initiated. Areas around PC1 have been completely burnt.

Torres del Paine National Park is Patagonia’s most famous landmark. The park, now visited by about 100,000 tourists a year, was declared a World Biosphere Reserve in 1978.

The tourist who started the fire, Jiri Smitak of Checkoslovakia, was fined about US$200, and quickly fled the country. Chileans are indignant that he was permitted to leave.See All Event Posts