SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) -- Wildfires that recently destroyed parts of the Atlantic Rain Forest in southeastern Brazil could have been the work of arsonists, authorities said Wednesday.
The fires, which began on Sunday and were extinguished on Tuesday afternoon destroyed 29 hectares (72 acres) of rain forest covering the Japi mountain Range near Jundiai, some 50 kilometers (30 miles) northwest of Sao Paulo.
The mountain range - an environmental protection area - covers a total of 35,000 hectares (86,450 acres).
``There is no indication that the fires were caused by some natural occurrence like lightening or by some man-made accident, which is why we believe the fire could have been the work of arsonists ,'' Jundiai Planning Director Spinesio Scarabello said by telephone. He would not elaborate further.
