Bolivia Fires Out Of Control

Wind-fueled fires have destroyed 350,000 acres of farm land and at least 500 homes in central Bolivia, leaving thousands homeless and blanketing the country's lowlands with smoke, the government reported Monday.

Farmlands and forests have burned out of control for over a week in the tropical lowland area north of Santa Cruz. A severe drought in Brazil and the eastern lowlands of Bolivia is fueling the fires.

The forest fires have covered more than half of Bolivia with heavy smoke, forcing schools to close and flights to be canceled Monday. The haze has even begun crossing the Andes from the east.

Thick smoke has enveloped Santa Cruz de la Sierra, a city of one million, forcing air traffic officials to restrict the number of flights in and out of the city.

Fires have destroyed much of Ascencion de Guarayos, a farm town of 10,000 people 530 miles east of La Paz, town officials said. The town's hospital was destroyed and thousands of residents were left homeless.

Emergency food and medical supplies are being collected for victims of the fire, considered the most damaging in Bolivia's recent history.

The government also says the fires pose a serious threat to the environment and the health of residents.

Legislators have asked the government to mobilize the armed forces to limit the centuries-old practice of slash-and-burn agriculture, and to educate farmers on the problems caused by the smoke.