Spain Wildfire: Winds From Storm Ciaran Whip Up Bushfire in Montitxelvo As 850 People Evacuated

Madrid, November 3: A wildfire abetted by storm winds in eastern Spain has burned some 2,000 hectares (4,900 acres) of land and forced the evacuation of 850 people from four towns, officials said Friday. Some 200 firefighters and army emergency unit soldiers were deployed to try to extinguish the day-old blaze near the eastern town of Montitxelvo. The regional government of Valencia said it hoped five water-carrying planes and helicopters would be deployed in the operation.

Regional president Carlos Mazon called on people to avoid travel in the area or activities in forests that could start fires. State news agency Efe said winds in the zone reached some 120 kph overnight. Mazon describe the winds as the main element fuelling the fire in the mountainous and wooded terrain. Spain Wildfire: Over 3,000 People Evacuated As Raging Bushfire Rips Through Spanish Island of Tenerife (Watch Video).

The fire comes as Spain, like much of Europe, continues to face heavy rains and gales from Storm Ciarán. However, the rain and low temperatures have not helped prevent the wildfire. Spain Wildfire Photos and Videos: Tenerife Battles ‘Out of Control’ Forest Fire as It Spreads Across Island’s North.

Spain has been suffering a drought for the past two years, intensified by climate change. Because the land is so parched, it is unable to absorb much of the storm water, which will run off into the rivers before reaching the Mediterranean.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)