Madrid, July 23: Wildfires continued raging Thursday around Spain, with thousands of hectares of vegetation burned down and hundreds of people driven from their homes, officials said. Half a dozen fires devastated more than 8,000 hectares in the northern region of Aragon, where 1,500 people were evacuated from six villages. About 130 children were also evacuated from a holiday camp.
The environmental damage in Aragon’s Teruel province was described as the worst in 15 years. Spain was considering seeking French or Portuguese help against the fires, local officials said.
In north-eastern Catalonia, winds were hampering the battle against a blaze which killed four firefighters on Tuesday. Two others were in very serious condition.
The fire has already consumed more than 1,100 hectares of forest and bush, part of it in Els Ports nature park.
Several fires led to the evacuation of dozens of people, while others voluntarily left their homes, in northern Burgos province and nearby areas. Gradually, firefighters were getting the flames under control.
Fires also forced a suspension of the high-speed rail link between Madrid and Barcelona, affecting more than 6,000 passengers. The connection was re-established on Thursday.
Dozens of fires were reported overnight in the entire country, with thousands of firefighters and soldiers participating in the firefighting effort.
Wildfires have claimed seven lives in Spain so far this summer.
High temperatures have contributed to the fires, the suspected causes of which include lightning, burning stubble, and arson.
–Agencies