Smoke cloud engulfs Argentine capital for 5th day

By Jorge Otaola

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - A thick cloud of smoke covered Buenos Aires for a fifth day on Saturday, the fallout from field burning by ranchers that has forced the closure of highways, flight delays and traffic congestion.

The smoke started to appear over the Argentine capital more than a week ago, but visibility deteriorated considerably in the city on Friday and Saturday, with an acrid smell pervading homes and causing watery eyes and sore throats among residents.

Visibility downtown was barely 500 yards (meters), and residents' tempers began to fray.

Police said they detained two people in connection with the fire, which spread over a wide area north of the capital, and were searching for a third.

Authorities said ranchers caused the haze by igniting fires across 173,000 acres of pasture. The fires clear vegetation and renew soil nutrients and fresh pasture growth for cattle.

The dense smoke along highways in rural areas north of Buenos Aires caused traffic accidents that killed at least nine people, officials said on Friday.

Emergency services directed traffic in some areas of the city on Saturday, while the capital's Jorge Newbery domestic airport diverted incoming aircraft to the international airport outside Buenos Aires -- where the smoke also caused some flight departure delays.

Schools canceled sports classes, and a rugby tournament was suspended.