Raging Forest fires break out in northeast Spain
Pastor Dale Morgan
Raging Forest fires break out in northeast Spain*
07/05/2007 01:33 Source: AP ©
A Ferocious forest fire has started in a section of the Mediterranean
coast in northeastern Spain.
Over 3,000 people had been evacuated from their homes and from a beach
campsite in Mont-roig del Camp, Jordi Saura, environment spokesman for
the regional government of Tarragona told reporters.
Fanned by strong winds, more than 250 hectares (618 acres) of forest and
brush-land had burned, forcing the closure of the A7 coastal highway and
rail connections, Saura said.
At least five persons had been treated for burns and smoke inhalation,
Saura said.
Firefighters had scrambled 17 aircraft equipped to transport water to
help combat the flames.
Television images on CNN+ news channel showed long traffic queues with
thick, black smoke in the background.
Every summer Spain and neighboring Portugal lose large stretches of
forest to fires, many deliberately lit.
Fires charred 35,870 hectares (88,635 acres) in Spain in the 2006
season, down from 94,445 hectares (233,370 acres) in 2005, according to
Environment Ministry figures.