Party Balloons Blamed for Rio Fire

Firefighters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil say balloons filled with flaming wicks of cotton and wax triggered a fire in a national park above the city. Britain's Daily Mail reports the balloons are released to celebrate the Festa Junina, and are responsible for at least half of all Rio's forest fires.

Stunning time-lapse video posted to YouTube shows the flames rising up the Dos Cabritos hill, which separates the tourist hot spots of Ipanema and Copacabana.



User name: 2pfilmes
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date uploaded: June 20
Event date: June 20
Views: 61,898
Click here to watch this video on YouTube.



User name: marciustill1
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date uploaded: June 20
Event date: June 20
Views: 7
Click here to watch this video on YouTube.



User name: fredmorrissy
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date uploaded: June 20
Event date: June 20
Views: 185
Click here to watch this video on YouTube.