SANTIAGO (Chile), Jan 1: Firefighters are making progress against a major blaze in one of Chile's most spectacular national parks, the government said on Sunday, and the Israeli tourist accused of setting the fire denied guilt.

Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter announced that light rain and diminished winds had helped emergency workers control three of the six areas of the fire at the Torres del Paine park, though the blaze has burned more 48 square miles since starting on Tuesday.

A court on Saturday ordered Rotem Singer, a 23-year-old Israeli citizen, to remain in the region while he faces charges of negligently setting the blaze.—AP