10 Jan 2011

Bush fires affect Easter Island National Park

6:36 am on 10 January 2011

Reports from Easter Island say fire has destroyed about 65 hectares of bush in a National Park area.

The Chilean newspaper, La Tercera, says the blaze in the Puna Pau are affected at least five historical monuments, known as moai.

Officials say there has been very little rain in recent times and winds fuelled the fire on the dry slopes.

It is not known what caused the fire.

There are no reports of damage to buildings.