More than 4,000 people have been evacuated following a rapidly spreading forest fire on the Spanish island of La Palma in the Canary Islands, authorities say.
The fire broke out early Saturday in El Pinar de Puntagorda, a wooded area in the north of the island. So far, ten firefighting planes and more than 300 firefighters have been deployed in the hope of containing the blaze, which is spreading rapidly due to persistent drought and high winds.
The village of Puntagorda and the nearby town of Tijarafe were evacuated. Authorities have warned that several homes may have to be evacuated if firefighters do not take control.
At least 13 homes were destroyed by the fire, according to Canary Islands regional president Fernando Clavijo.
– There was some resistance from local people to leave their homes. I urge people to follow the advice of the authorities and assume their responsibilities, he said.
The wildfire has so far burned an area of 50 square kilometers.
The La Palma wildfire comes just as southern Europe is hit by another heat wave.
In many parts of Spain, temperatures have exceeded 40 degrees. In Athens, the famous tourist attraction of the Acropolis is closed for the third day in a row, while in Italy a red alert has been issued for 16 cities. On Sunday, it is predicted that several heat records could be broken.
CORRECTION: VG wrote on Sunday that the fire had ravaged an area of nearly 500 square kilometers, according to NTB information, citing Reuters news agency. This information was incorrect, informs NTB at 4:10 p.m. Sunday. The burned area covers 50 square kilometers. VG corrected the information.
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