More evacuations as Canary Islands fire out of control | The Manila Times

The trees above the road of the forested peaks of Valleseco are engulfed in flames during the new forest fire that broke out just days after another blaze raged in the same area, in the Grand Canary Island of Spain, August 17, 2019. AFP PHOTOA wildfire raged out of control on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria on Monday, forcing more evacuations as flames in some parts rose so high even water-dropping planes were unable to operate, authorities said.

The fire, which is devouring the mountainous center of the holiday island popular for its breathtaking views, has forced the evacuation of several villages, which according to the census have a combined population of 8,000, a spokeswoman for emergency services said.So fierce is the fire in what is a Unesco biosphere reserve that in some areas, it “is beyond our extinction capacities,” Federico Grillo, head of emergency services in Gran Canaria, said late Sunday.

On the northwestern flank of the blaze, flames have risen as high as 50 meters , preventing ground crew from getting near or water-dropping aircraft from flying above.More than 700 firefighters and other ground crew and 14 water-dropping helicopters and planes were working on bringing the blaze under control on Monday.

With the temperature set to rise, authorities estimate it could take days before the blaze is brought under control.Gran Canaria is the second most populous of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic off the northwest coast of Africa. The archipelago received 13.7 million foreign visitors last year, over half of them from Britain and Germany.In a statement, the government of the Canary Islands said the tourism industry on the island remained unaffected “given that the fire is confined to upland parts,” “with no resorts suffering effects” and no flight delays.

Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Wildfire prompts evacuations in Canary IslandsTEJEDA, Spain - A wildfire in the Canary Islands led to the evacuation of a small town in Gran Canaria island on Saturday, and officials said the blaze had a “great potential” to spread.
Source: manilabulletin - 🏆 25. / 51 Read more »

Wildfire prompts evacuations in Canary IslandsTEJEDA, Spain - A wildfire in the Canary Islands led to the evacuation of a small town in Gran Canaria island on Saturday, and officials said the blaze had a “great potential” to spread.
Source: manilabulletin - 🏆 25. / 51 Read more »

De Lima to Duterte: Stop Chinese plan on 3 PH islesSen. Leila de Lima on Saturday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to cancel agreements with Chinese investors’ to turn three strategic islands in the Philippines into economic and tourism zones. | CMarquezINQ CMarquezINQ at sino ka naman para mag dikta?! mas mataas ka ba sa presidente?! sa bilibid dun ka bida! wehehe!
Source: inquirerdotnet - 🏆 3. / 86 Read more »

De Lima to Duterte: Stop Chinese plan on 3 PH islesMANILA, Philippines — Sen. Leila de Lima on Saturday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to cancel agreements with Chinese investors’ to turn three strategic islands in the Philippines into
Source: cebudailynews - 🏆 8. / 71 Read more »

Manila mayor disappointed over seizure of illegal firearms in BasecoManila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso expressed disappointment after the Manila Police District (MPD) confiscated hundreds of illegal firearms in Baseco Compound in Manila last week.
Source: manilabulletin - 🏆 25. / 51 Read more »

DFA must summon Chinese envoy if diplomatic protests are snubbed – PimentelA face to face meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and the Chinese Ambassador to Manila must be set if China fails to respond to diplomatic protests filed by the Philippines. WestPHSea | CMRamosINQ
Source: inquirerdotnet - 🏆 3. / 86 Read more »