Firefighters struggle as forest fire spreads in eastern Spain*

MADRID, Aug 30 (AFP) Aug 30, 2007

Some 400 firefighters were forced to give ground Thursday as a fierce
fire in eastern Spain increased in strength, fed by the hot weather and
summer winds, local officials told the Spanish media.

The fire, which broke out on Tuesday and by late Wednesday had already
burnt up 1,500 hectares (3,700 acres) of land, had gained in strength
overnight, Vincente Rambla, vice president of the Valencia region, told
reporters.

As the flames advanced, officials evacuated 120 residents of the village
of Les Useres, close to where the fire broke out and where the blaze was
burning most fiercely.

Local authorities believe the fire was started accidentally by a crew
that was repairing an electrical line.

Until now, Spain has escaped the worst of this year's summer fires
across Europe, partly because the weather has been unseasonably fresh
and damp for the region.

The environment ministry announced Wednesday that only 56,350 hectares
had been burnt this year, down a full 66 percent on last year. It is
also 20 percent lower than the recorded average, and the lowest since
statistics were first collected in 1997.

The fiercest years this year were concentrated in the Canary islands at
the end of July and the beginning of August.