Firefighters said on Saturday they had stopped Spain's first major wildfire of the year from spreading further through the eastern Valencia region, where it destroyed more than 4,000 hectares (9,884 acres) of forest and forced 1,500 residents to abandon their homes.
An unusually dry winter across parts of southern Europe has raised fears of a repeat of 2022, when 785,000 hectares were destroyed - more than double the annual average for the past 16 years, according to European Commission statistics.
In Spain, 493 fires destroyed a record 307,000 hectares of land last year, according to the Commission's European Forest Fire Information System. More than 500 firefighters supported by 20 planes and helicopters were working to bring the blaze under control near the village of Villanueva de Viver, in the Valencia region, emergency services said on Saturday.A wildfire burns parts of rural areas in Monte Pino, Spain, March 24, 2023. REUTERS/Lorena SopenaLas Provincias, a regional newspaper, reported police believe that the blaze may have been started by a spark from a machine used to gather brushwood.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Franklin County under wind advisory for Saturday. How strong will the gusts be?The wind advisory begins at 7 a.m. Saturday and will last until 8 p.m. Saturday.
Read more »
Teen rescued from river by Oceanside firefighters, policeA witness told police the girl jumped from a bridge into the San Luis Rey river in Oceanside around 10:15 p.m.; she was plucked from the water and taken to a local hospital
Read more »
5 kids rescued from NYC sewer; firefighters say cell phone was 'key' to finding themFive kids had to be rescued from a NYC sewer by firefighters after entering a storm drain.
Read more »
5 kids rescued from NYC sewer; firefighters say cell phone was 'key' to finding themAfter 5 kids got stuck in an NYC sewer, Staten Island firefighters describe how they were able to locate them.
Read more »
Round Rock firefighters honored for saving life of 18-month-old girlThe City of Round Rock says, “These are true heroes.'
Read more »
5 kids rescued from NYC sewer; firefighters say cell phone was 'key' to finding themFive kids had to be rescued by firefighters after entering a storm drain.
Read more »