Paraguay battles wildfires in national parks

Multiple forest fires have raged throughout Paraguay in recent days, destroying thousands of hectares of protected wetlands. National Emergency Ministry authorities reported Monday after five consecutive days of fighting a wildfire in the Cerro Corá National Park in northeastern Paraguay, the blaze had been extinguished.

Over half of the park's 5,673 hectares were devoured by the fire, the ministry said. Additional blazes continue to threaten other areas of the country. National Emergency Minister Joaquín Roa on Monday warned fire columns in the Gran Chaco region had crossed from southern Bolivia into Paraguay's Alto Department on Sunday.

Extreme drought and strong winds from the north have fanned the flames despite the efforts of firefighters and volunteers. The impact has even been felt in Asunción, with smoke from nearby fires shrouding the city on Monday. Air quality remained in the unhealthy range in much of the Paraguayan capital.