TUESDAY 20 AUGUST 2019World news in brief
Flames ripped through woodland in Gran Canaria over the weekend (AFP/Getty)
Wildfire forces Canary Islands evacuation of 8,000
An out-of-control wildfire in Spain’s Canary Islands forced emergency workers to move more than 8,000
people, authorities said. The blaze was racing across parched woodlands into Tamadaba Natural Park,
regarded as one of the jewels on Gran Canaria. President Angel Victor Torres said 1,100 firefighters were
being deployed yesterday along with 14 water-dropping aircraft to battle the blaze that started Saturday
afternoon.
The local government said around 14,800 acres had been charred in just 48 hours, villages were evacuated
and two dozen roads were closed. Local fire officials said emergency workers faced huge flames and gusting
winds that blew embers into the air, starting secondary fires. Summer temperatures on the island yesterday
were expected to reach 36 Celsius. Emergency chief Frederico Grillo said recent blazes have been much
worse and “nothing like those we used to have”. AP