Fire threatens to close in Peruvian city of Machu Picchu

The blaze threatened to close in on the ancient city in the Andean mountains on Thursday as Peruvian firefighters tried to contain a forest fire near the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu.

Farmers burning grass and debris to prepare to sow crops on Tuesday started the fire, which had engulfed an area about half the size of Vatican City.

The mayor of Cusco said about 20 hectares 49 acres had been affected by the fire.

Machu Picchu, a complex of stone structures positioned atop a mountain, was built more than 500 years ago by the Incas. Its empire controlled large swaths of South America from what is now southern Ecuador to central Chile.

Roberto Abarca, the director of Cusco risk management and security office, said that the forest fire has been fighting for two days and it is not possible to get it under control.

The ruins that make the surrounding Cusco region Peru's top tourist destination are considered one of the new seven wonders of the world.