A raging wildfire on the Spanish holiday island of Gran Canaria forced the evacuation of some 5,000 people, authorities said Sunday, warning it could take days for the blaze to be brought under control.
The fire, which has spread to the mountainous Cruz de Tejeda region popular with tourists for its breathtaking views, is “extremely fierce” and “unstable”, said Canary Islands president Angel Victor Torres in a statement.
No fatalities have been reported.
More than 600 firefighters and 14 aircraft battled to contain the flames, hampered by strong winds and high temperatures.
With the temperature set to rise Monday, authorities estimate it could take days before the blaze is brought under control.
“The next few hours will be very important because the weather forecast for the night is not good,” Torres said.
The fire broke out days after another wildfire in the same region forced the evacuation of hundreds.
Gran Canaria is the second most populous of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic off the northwest coast of Africa.
The Canary Islands received 13.7 million foreign visitors last year, over half of them from Britain and Germany.
Spain is frequently plagued by huge forest fires because of its arid summer climate.
-
Wildfire forces 2,000 to evacuate in Spain’s Canary Islands
Authorities on Spain’s Canary Islands say around 2,000 people have been evacuated due to a wildfire that has ravaged more than 500 hectares ... World News -
Wildfires continue to rage in Southern Greece, Spain’s Island of Gran Canaria
A tourist camp and nearby houses on the island of Elafonisos, in southern Greece, have been evacuated for the second day in a row as a wildfire at a ... World News -
Trump, Putin discuss Russian wildfires, says the White House
US President Donald Trump spoke on Wednesday with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin about wildfires in Siberia and trade, the White House said. ... World News -
Oprah Winfrey visits Maui Humane Society following wildfire
Oprah Winfrey surprised the Maui Humane Society with a visit to thank the organization for evacuating animals during a wildfire, a report said.Winfrey ... Variety