Spain: Over 121,000 people affected by worsening wildfires

Madrid, July 26 (KUNA) -- The number of people affected by the worsening forest fires in Spain has risen to more than 121,000, including those evacuated from their homes and those ordered to stay indoors as a precautionary measure, as the blazes continue to advance in Madrid, Avila, Toledo, and Castellon.

Spanish state television said on Sunday that the number of affected residents in the capital, Madrid, and the neighboring province of Avila reached approximately 100,000, while the fires have destroyed more than 45,000 hectares. It noted that firefighting teams are continuing to take advantage of lower temperatures and higher humidity as defensive lines against the active and erratic fires.

The broadcaster added that the fire in Castellon province, located in the eastern Valencia region, prompted authorities to evacuate approximately 16,000 people overnight to ensure their safety. Thousands were also evacuated in Toledo, with dozens of other fires reported in various parts of the country.

It also highlighted the participation of firefighting teams and aircraft sent by Greece, Italy, and Portugal in efforts to extinguish the blazes, following the Spanish government’s request to the European Union to activate the Civil Protection Mechanism to support local efforts.

According to Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition, the current wave of forest fires has consumed about 20,000 hectares of land, while the total area burned across the country since the beginning of the year has risen to approximately 132,000 hectares.

The Spanish Civil Guard continues its investigations into various hypotheses regarding the causes of these fires, most of which point to human factors. (End) H.N.D. / M.A.K.