Sep
14
Firefighters battle Spain forest blaze
Filed Under EN
Locals look at burnt land after a forest fire at Ezaro in Galicia yesterday.
Spanish firefighters brought four wildfires under control yesterday, but continued to battle a blaze on the Monte Pindo mountain in Galicia that has already destroyed 1,900 hectares of forest, reported regional authorities.
No cause for the fire, which is burning on the 627m high mountain, is known. It has been burning since Wednesday. It is the worst blaze of the summer.
Firefighters from 84 brigades, backed by forest crews and military emergency services, were battling the blaze Saturday. They were receiving support from 13 helicopters and eight aeroplanes.
A government spokeswoman said the area was difficult to access, because of the hilly terrain. She said they were “practically constantly climbing.” Heavy winds were making the fire control efforts even more difficult.
Monte Pindo is considered one of Galicia’s most unique nature preserves, containing many endangered plants and the only European river that flows into the ocean as a waterfall.
About 15,000 hectares of Galicia have already burnt this summer.
There were no deaths reported in the four blazes brought under control yesterday, though significant damage to homes and gardens was reported. At least two other wildfires also continue to burn in Spain.
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