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Wildfires evacuate 8,000 people from Gran Canaria Island, Spain

Aerial operations to control the forest fires
Aerial operations to control the forest fires
MADRID, Aug 19 (KUNA) -- Forest fires on Gran Canaria on Canary Islands, Spain, continued to spread violently, forcing 8,000 people to evacuate from dozens of villages and towns so far, the Spanish National Television reported on Monday.
Canary Islands President Angel Torres said the fire was uncontrollable and was due to rising temperatures, winds ranging from 50-80 kilometers, in addition to humidity levels below 15 percent.
The fires devoured more than 6,000 hectares of forests and damaged over 20 roads in the area, he said.
Over 700 members of the fire brigade and the military emergency unit of the Ministry of Defense are trying to control the flames, along with 16 amphibious aircrafts and helicopters, he explained.
The wildfires caused enormous environmental damage and devastated part of the island's Timanfaya National Park, damaging hundreds of houses. (end) hnd.lr