An unusually hot summer in remote southern Chile, steep terrain, and strong winds typical of the season have complicated fire fighting efforts, Perez said.

"It's really hard to say when we could have it contained," he said.

A few dozen tourists have been evacuated from campgrounds due to heavy smoke, and campgrounds have been shut down near popular lakes on the eastern side of the park, according to a report in La Segunda newspaper.

Chile, a South American nation with the soaring Andes mountain range and miles of dramatic coastline, draws thousands from around the world to its national parks. Torres del Paine's glaciers and dramatic granite spires are a big draw for hikers.

Foxes, pumas, guanacos (a smaller relation of the llama) and nandues (a flightless bird related to the ostrich) are fleeing the flames from the fire, the worst in two decades.

The tourist whose camp stove accidentally started the fire paid the maximum fine of $200 and was allowed to leave the country.