Madrid, June 19 (BNA) Firefighters in Spain struggled, Sunday, to contain forest fires in several parts of the country, which is experiencing an unusual heat wave at this time of the year.
Regional authorities said the worst damage was in the northwestern province of Zamora, where more than 25,000 hectares (61,000 acres) were destroyed.
The fire that broke out in the Sierra de la Culebra region of Zamora forced the evacuation of at least 10 villages, although cooler temperatures overnight helped the efforts somewhat.
More than 500 firefighters are backed by water-dumping planes and helicopters in the sparsely populated area, according to the Associated Press.
Authorities were on alert in anticipation of severe forest fires, with temperatures in Spain dropping below record temperatures at many points in the country in June. Experts associate the abnormally hot period in Europe with climate change.
Thermometers soared above 40°C (104°F) in many Spanish cities throughout the week – usually forecast temperatures in August.
This year’s lack of rainfall combined with high winds created the right conditions for the fires.
Authorities said high winds of up to 70 kph (43 mph) that changed course sporadically, as well as temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius, made it extremely difficult for crews to operate.
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