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Spain: 2,000 ordered to evacuate over La Palma wildfire
13 hours ago13 hours ago
Spain’s army has deployed its firefighters to help battle the blaze on the Canary Island of La Palma, as the country faces a scorching heat wave.
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Fire burns, with flames and columns of smoke into the sky
The fire is on the western side of the La Palma islandImage: Europa Press/EUROPA PRESS/dpa/picture alliance
Thousands of people were evacuated Saturday after a wildfire erupted on the Spanish island of La Palma.
At least 2,000 people were told to evacuate, authorities said, and another 12 houses were destroyed, according to Fernando Clavijo, the regional president of the Canary Islands.
“With the resources that were are deploying, we hope we can control the fire today, but the winds are shifting,” Clavijo said.
Wildfire kicks up big column of smoke that fills the skies, with homes dotting the terrainWildfire kicks up big column of smoke that fills the skies, with homes dotting the terrain
The fire is on a hilly terrain dotted with homesImage: STRINGER/AFP
“More gusting winds are expected and, combined with the dryness of the terrain and the lack of rain, this situation is complicated,” he added.
About 4,500 hectares or 11,120 acres of land has been destroyed by the fire, authorities said.
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Firefighters battle to put out blaze
Spain’s army has deployed some 150 of its firefighters to help local crews battle the blaze, with more firefighters arriving on boats from the neighboring island of Tenerife, according to Clavijo.
The fire is on the western side of the island on wooded, hilly terrain dotted with homes.
La Palma, with a population of 85,000, is one of eight members of Spain’s Canary Islands archipelago off Africa’s western coast. In 2021, it was hit by a volcanic eruption that lasted around three months, forcing thousands to evacuate and causing around €900 million ($1,01 billion) of damage.
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The latest wildfire fire there coincides with blistering heat that have swept southern European countries, as scientists warn that climate change could significantly increase wildfires across the globe.
rm/dj (Reuters, dpa)
