• News
  • Travel
    • Cities & Places
    • Beaches
    • Maps
    • Festivals
    • Wildlife
    • Gallery
  • Crypto
  • Health

Wildfire Threatened Machu Picchu In Peru

113Shares
113.2KViews

Peruvian firefighters were fighting to contain a forest fire as wildfire threatened Machu Picchu.

On Thursday, a forest fire near the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu sparked terror among Peruvians, as the wildfire threatened to engulf the historic city high in the Andean mountains.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, located more than 7,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains, is Peru's most popular tourist destination.

A stunning view of Machu Picchu
A stunning view of Machu Picchu

COPYRIGHT_BUG: Published on https://www.bugbog.com/wildfire-threatened-machu-picchu/ by Velma Battle on 2022-07-02T12:12:43.173Z

Machu Picchu, a symbol of the Incan Empire, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

Hiram Bingham, an American explorer, found the Inca monument that is now known as Machu Picchu in 1911 and launched a scientific study that would make the place globally famous.

As Bingham traveled through the Urubamba Valley, an indigenous farmer named Melchor Arteaga pointed him in the direction of Machu Picchu, describing the place in his native tongue.

Machu Picchu translates to "ancient mountain" in this native language, and it refers to the mountain just in front of the citadel. Huayna Picchu, which means "young mountain," is the mountain behind the citadel.

While there are some ideas as to what the Incas named the city now known as Machu Picchu, no one knows for certain. Furthermore, we cannot truly call Machu Picchu the "Lost" City of the Incas because the site was known to many locals long before Bingham's visit.

The Wildfire

The fire, which had covered an area almost half the size of Vatican City, was sparked on Tuesday by farmers preparing to plant crops by burning grass and rubbish.

Wildfires rage close to Machu Picchu archaeological site

According to the mayor of the nearby city of Cusco, the fire had affected approximately 20 hectares (49 acres) as of Wednesday.

The Incas built Machu Picchu, a complex of stone structures atop a mountain, more than 500 years ago, when their empire covered wide swathes of South America from what is now southern Ecuador to central Chile.

The remoteness of the fire has hampered firefighters' operations. They've already been fighting the forest fire for two days and haven't been able to put it out due to the area's inaccessibility. According to Roberto Abarca, director of the Cusco risk management and security office.

The stunning remains, which have made the surrounding Cusco region Peru's most popular tourist attraction, are regarded as one of the world's new seven wonders.

The current report did not specify how close the wildfire was to Machu Picchu or whether the wind would continue to blow the blaze towards the ancient site.

Climate scientists would need to do an attribution study to determine the extent to which this fire was influenced by climate change, if at all.

According to Ben Clarke, a PHD candidate in environmental science at Oxford University, it is unclear whether climate change is boosting fire weather in South America, but there is some evidence that greenhouse gasses have raised the risk of fire weather in the Amazon. Mr Clarke, on the other hand, stated that future climate change would almost probably increase the risk of fire across much of the continent.

According to Bob Ward, policy and communications director at the Grantham Study Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, recent research indicates that climate change is lengthening the fire season in regions of South America.

People Also Ask

What Is Machu Picchu Endanger Of Today?

To encourage preservation, environmental groups and even UNESCO specialists frequently argue for the inclusion of Machu Picchu on the United Nations List of World Heritage in Danger. Deforestation, landslides, and urban growth are all threats to the site.

Does Peru Have Wildfires?

In 2021, Peru experienced about 11,000 wildfire outbreaks. In the previous year, a total of 16,670 wildfires were reported in the South American country.

Is Machu Picchu Threatened?

Excessive tourism, which is especially damaging to the fragile site; the generation of solid waste; unsustainable agriculture methods; overgrazing and forest fires; worsening erosion; landslides; mineral mining; and the introduction of alien flora are all risks to Machu Picchu.

Conclusion

According to Matthew Jones, a research fellow at the University of East Anglia and the lead author of the recent study, extreme "fire weather" - hot, dry conditions conducive to wildfires - is becoming more intense and frequent in many South American countries, including Peru, as a result of climate change.

Share: Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin

About The Authors

Velma Battle

Velma Battle - Travelling Expert

Recent Articles

  • Mexico Too Risky For Spring Break - Texas Officials Say

    News

    Mexico Too Risky For Spring Break - Texas Officials Say

    Texas officials say, Mexico too risky for spring break. Due to safety concerns, local authorities in the state of Texas have warned citizens of the United States not to travel to Mexico over the spring break vacations.

  • The Most And Least Hospitable Nations In The World In 2023

    News

    The Most And Least Hospitable Nations In The World In 2023

    Have you ever thought about the most and least hospitable nations in the world in 2023? A trip to a foreign nation is guaranteed to be an unforgettable adventure, but it may also be nerve-racking if you aren't sure how friendly the natives will be when you arrive there.

  • Taiwan To Pay Their Visitors This Year

    News

    Taiwan To Pay Their Visitors This Year

    Taiwan to pay their visitors this year. Taiwan has long been a popular destination for travelers seeking a unique blend of culture, cuisine, and natural beauty. However, in recent years, the island nation has faced a decline in tourism due to various factors, including political tensions with China and the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Traveling To Las Vegas - Essential Things To Know Before Traveling

    Cities & Places

    Traveling To Las Vegas - Essential Things To Know Before Traveling

    Traveling to Las Vegas may be one the things that is included in your bucket list. Las Vegas is a vibrant and bustling city, located in the heart of the Nevada desert. It's known as the entertainment capital of the world, famous for its glittering casinos, luxurious resorts, and world-class shows.

  • First Visit To France - Packing For Your Travel To France

    Cities & Places

    First Visit To France - Packing For Your Travel To France

    So what are the things to consider on your first visit to France? Traveling to France for the first time can be an exciting and daunting experience. With so much to see and do in this beautiful country, it can be challenging to know what to pack for your trip. Here are some tips to help you pack for your first visit to France.

  • Best Beaches To Visit In Turkey - Discover The Beauty Of Turkey

    Beaches

    Best Beaches To Visit In Turkey - Discover The Beauty Of Turkey

    Today we will talk about the best beaches to visit in Turkey. Turkey is a country that is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With a long coastline that stretches across two seas and several smaller bodies of water, Turkey has something for everyone when it comes to beaches.

  • The Sicilian Hotel Where "White Lotus" Was Shot Offers 25% Off

    News

    The Sicilian Hotel Where "White Lotus" Was Shot Offers 25% Off

    The Sicilian hotel where "White Lotus" was shot offers 25% off. The HBO hit series "The White Lotus" has been the talk of the town ever since its premiere in July 2021. The show takes place at the fictional White Lotus hotel, but did you know that the hotel is actually based on a real hotel in Sicily?

  • 5 Jaw-Dropping Landscapes In The Golden Circle You Have To See To Believe

    Cities & Places

    5 Jaw-Dropping Landscapes In The Golden Circle You Have To See To Believe

    Iceland’s Golden Circle is a must-see for any traveller, as it boasts some of the most incredible and awe-inspiring landscapes in the world. From the spouting geysers of Geysir to the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, the Golden Circle in Iceland is full of amazing sights.

  • Travel Ads To Look Out For During Super Bowl LVII

    News

    Travel Ads To Look Out For During Super Bowl LVII

    So what are the travel ads to look out for during super bowl LVII? The Super Bowl is one of the most watched sporting events in the United States, attracting millions of viewers from all over the world.

  • Hong Kong Will Distribute 500,000 Free Airline Tickets - Bold Move To Boost Tourism Industry

  • The UNESCO World Heritage List Now Added Three More Sites Deemed In Danger

  • Luggage Left At The Baggage Claim - What Really Happens To Them?

  • The Different Types Of Bitcoin Faucets

  • Things To Do In Rome - Suggestions You Need To Consider