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| Canaries fires force evacuations | Canaries fires force evacuations |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Forest fires on two of Spain's Canary Islands have forced the evacuation of more than 11,000 people, local officials have said. | Forest fires on two of Spain's Canary Islands have forced the evacuation of more than 11,000 people, local officials have said. |
| The fires have burnt at least 24,000 hectares (59,000 acres) of land on the islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife. | The fires have burnt at least 24,000 hectares (59,000 acres) of land on the islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife. |
| Spain's Environment Minister Cristina Narbona called a state of "maximum alert" and ordered more water-bombing planes to help douse the fires. | Spain's Environment Minister Cristina Narbona called a state of "maximum alert" and ordered more water-bombing planes to help douse the fires. |
| Hundreds of firefighters are working with planes to quell the blaze. | Hundreds of firefighters are working with planes to quell the blaze. |
| On Saturday, police arrested a forest ranger who admitted to starting one of the fires. | On Saturday, police arrested a forest ranger who admitted to starting one of the fires. |
| The 37-year-old man told police his job contract was about to expire and he wanted to keep working, according to the AP news agency. | The 37-year-old man told police his job contract was about to expire and he wanted to keep working, according to the AP news agency. |
| Local officials said that 5,200 people had been taken to safety on Gran Canaria and at least 5,700 people were evacuated from homes in Tenerife as the four-day blaze continued to burn. | Local officials said that 5,200 people had been taken to safety on Gran Canaria and at least 5,700 people were evacuated from homes in Tenerife as the four-day blaze continued to burn. |
| Hazards | Hazards |
| Previously, dozens of people had been evacuated from seven areas since Friday. | Previously, dozens of people had been evacuated from seven areas since Friday. |
| Forest fires on the islands of Tenerife and Gran CanariaEnlarge Image | Forest fires on the islands of Tenerife and Gran CanariaEnlarge Image |
| Paulino Rivero, head of the regional government said: "The rugged landscape of these islands makes firefighting very complicated, except from the air. | Paulino Rivero, head of the regional government said: "The rugged landscape of these islands makes firefighting very complicated, except from the air. |
| "But while there is a lot of wind and very high temperatures, helicopters generally cannot operate." | "But while there is a lot of wind and very high temperatures, helicopters generally cannot operate." |
| He was quoted by the Associated Press saying: "These are the biggest fires on the archipelago in the last ten years," he said. | He was quoted by the Associated Press saying: "These are the biggest fires on the archipelago in the last ten years," he said. |
| A spokesman for Gran Canaria's authorities said fires were burning on four fronts but attention was being focused on two in the central Fataga area. | A spokesman for Gran Canaria's authorities said fires were burning on four fronts but attention was being focused on two in the central Fataga area. |
| He added that only two helicopters were able to drop water there because of the "terrible" wind. | He added that only two helicopters were able to drop water there because of the "terrible" wind. |
| class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/6924922.stm">Readers' experiences | |
| The fire has damaged 65% of the Palmitos bird sanctuary park. There are fears that toucans and other exotic birds may have been killed. | The fire has damaged 65% of the Palmitos bird sanctuary park. There are fears that toucans and other exotic birds may have been killed. |
| A spokeswoman from Tenerife's island authorities said some 300 members of fire and other emergency services were fighting the blazes, with the support of 34 lorries, four helicopters and a water-bomber airplane. | A spokeswoman from Tenerife's island authorities said some 300 members of fire and other emergency services were fighting the blazes, with the support of 34 lorries, four helicopters and a water-bomber airplane. |
| Meanwhile, officials in southern Portugal said a major forest fire that broke out on Monday had now been brought under control. | Meanwhile, officials in southern Portugal said a major forest fire that broke out on Monday had now been brought under control. |
| Wildfires have also affected Greece this summer amid a heat wave which has stretched across parts of Europe. | Wildfires have also affected Greece this summer amid a heat wave which has stretched across parts of Europe. |
| Are you in the area? Have you been affected? Use the form below to send us your comments. | Are you in the area? Have you been affected? Use the form below to send us your comments. |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 61124. | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 61124. |
| Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
| Name | Name |