Sad News! Spain forest fires force evacuation of at least 1,000 people

Sad News! Spain forest fires force evacuation of at least 1,000 people

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Spanish fire fighters are fighting an enormous forest blaze near Valencia that’s forced the evacuation of thousands of people including tourists.

More than 200 firefighters have been deployed to handle the fire some 350km (220 miles) southeast of Madrid.

The fire was intentionally started on one of the hottest days of the year, crisis authorities have said.

Officials expect winds that fanned the flames will decrease although the temperature in the place is forecast to reach 40C.

Officials evacuated over 1,000 people late on Sunday km north of Benidorm the risk from the fires.

Emergency services said they had the fire nearly under control but it re-energised when water dumping aircraft quit work after sundown – meaning the evacuation process had to start immediately.

Valencia emergency services head Jose Maria Angel told Spanish radio he considered three blazes that ripped through plant life and ruined buildings in the region were due to “the hand of guy… in an extremely precise way”.

“This is crazy. I believe my car and maybe my flat is on fire.,” he tweeted.

As of this time of the year, tourists compose a significant percentage of residents in resorts including Javea.

The newest fires are fuelled by powerful gusts and rainfall that is little, officials say.

In December more than 120 forest fires broke out in northern Spain, some of may have been started intentionally.