Wildfire on Canary Islands Forces 1,000 to Evacuate

Wildfire has burned over 2,000 acres

 

 

MADRID (AP) — Spanish authorities say a wildfire on the Canary Island of Gran Canaria has burned 1,000 hectares (2,470 acres) and has forced the evacuation of 1,000 residents.

The regional government of the Canary Islands said Sunday that 200 firefighters and 10 water-dumping aircraft are working to combat the blaze that started on Saturday for reasons still unknown. Spain’s military emergency unit that specializes in fighting fires has also deployed to the area.

Spanish state broadcaster RTVE says the evacuations were a precaution and no homes have been burned. Televised images have showed a bright fire line consuming the hillside overnight near a town.

See also  Utah Wildfire Evacuations May Last Weeks

The Canary Islands are in the Atlantic Ocean off the western coast of Africa.

All contents © copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Topics

Wildfire has burned over 2,000 acres     MADRID (AP) — Spanish authorities say a wildfire on the Canary Island of Gran Canaria has burned 1,000 hectares (2,470 acres) and has forced the evacuation of 1,000 residents. The regional government of the Canary Islands said Sunday that 200 firefighters and 10 water-dumping aircraft are working […]

Get The Wildland Firefighter Newsletter

Related Articles

Lessons Learned from Line-of-Duty Deaths in the Wildland

Lessons Learned from Line-of-Duty Deaths in the Wildland

By THOMAS W. AURNHAMMER After moving from New Mexico to Colorado, I must admit that I had a lot to learn about fighting fire in the wildland. I was used to having resources in my former fire department such as water and somewhat adequate staffing. Providing fire...