Wildfires have killed at least 11 people on Spain’s southern coast, local officials said Friday, as residents remain displaced amid concerns that strong gusts of wind could help to spread the blaze.
Emergency Response
Around 150 emergency workers were deployed to battle the forest fire near the town of Los Gallardos on the Costa de Almería, where several residents had been evacuated from their homes, a statement from the regional government of Andalusia said.
Temperature records have been smashed across Europe this summer as countries are hit by heat waves which are bringing extreme temperatures alarmingly early in the year. Firefighters are battling wildfires in Spain, Portugal and France.
The mayor of Los Gallardos, Francisco Reyes, said the situation was “terrifying because there is a lot of wind and the fire has spread very quickly.”
International Impact
Wildfires are not unusual in Europe, but the climate crisis is driving hotter, drier weather, which is setting the stage for fiercer fire seasons.
Spain’s meteorological office issued more high temperature warnings in recent days for parts of the Andalusia region. Video released by authorities shows firefighters battling large flames engulfing vegetation in the area.
Meanwhile, emergency services have been tackling blazes in neighboring France too, with thousands of hectares of land burned near the border with Spain, according to local authorities.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
