A fire is raging today on the outskirts of the picturesque town of Viñales in western Cuba, state media reported, threatening an area considered to be among the island’s top tourist destinations.

Local media reported that the blaze was 90% contained this morning, but the blaze, which started on Monday evening, is still not fully extinguished as strong winds fan the flames in a remote and mountainous area. pine forests.

The 132,100-acre Viniales Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is among the top and most famous tourist destinations.

The flames burned about 3,500 hectares, but the affected area is much south of the densely populated town of Viñales and the area most frequented by tourists.

Tourists visiting the valley have the opportunity to tour the area on horseback, traversing paths through the forest, visiting caves and guided tours of tobacco plantations.

The causes of the fire are being investigated by the authorities, state media reports.

Officials note that the prolonged dry season and the effects of El Niño, a weather pattern that can cause extreme weather events such as large fires, tropical cyclones and prolonged droughts, has left the region particularly vulnerable to disasters.