Forest fires rage in northwest Spain
Emergency services today were fighting 110 forest fires in wooded areas of northwest Spain, many of which were started deliberately, officials said.
The fires, which have charred around 24,700 acres of forest and scrubland, have been focused between the port city of Vigo and tourist centre of Santiago de Compostella, an area known for its fjord-like sea inlets.
So far five people have been arrested on suspicion of having started fires, regional prosecutor Alvaro Garcia Ortiz said. One of the five was released on bail.
Firefighters had managed to bring 49 fires under control, but high winds and very dry conditions were fanning 62 fires, said spokeswoman Iria Mendez.
Italy’s civil protection said it would dispatch two Canadair planes and a team of technicians to help fight forest fires in Spain.
The CL415 planes, capable of drenching a blaze with more than 6,000 litres of water or flame-retardant liquid, would leave for Spain this morning from Rome’s Ciampino airport, the civil protection said in a statement.
