Chile Detains Israeli Tourist In Major Forest Fire

Published December 31, 2011 5:54PM (EST)

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Chilean officials say they have detained an Israeli tourist suspected of causing a forest fire that has burned more than 42 square miles (11,000 hectares) in the Torres de Paine national park.

Police say that a 23-year-old man whose name they gave as Roter Singer has acknowledged a part in negligently allowing the fire to start.

Hundreds of firefighters are fighting the blaze in far-southern Chile. Authorities evacuated 400 tourists, most of them foreigners.

Officials say the fire is likely to continue spreading.


By Salon Staff

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