Heatwave Causes First Fires of the Summer
June 29th, 2011
At least five forest fires were still burning in Galicia on Sunday, with a total of 70 being recorded at the weekend, and many other regions being put on alert, reported El Pais.
The most damaging was recorded in Boiro (A Coruña), which burned 200 hectares of vegetation before being “stabilised,” according to the Department for Rural Affairs.
The Military Emergency Unit (UME) moved 200 specialists to the area to work hand-in-hand with the Xunta de Galicia, and the Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM) to contain the fires.
Most fires have been caused deliberately, according to the Galician regional government who has requested the involvement of all citizens to report the arsonists. He has also requested the cooperation of the Government Office to identify and arrest the alleged perpetrators of the fires.
Several Regions on Alert for High Temperatures
Every year, the autonomous regions activate their fire warning protocols. The Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has placed Navarra on yellow alert for maximum temperatures of 34ºC in the Pyrenees, 36ºC in the mountains of Cantabria and up to 37ºC in the interior and Ribera de Navarra. Navarra Emergency Services has called on citizens, especially farmers, to take all necessary precautions as laid out in a Regional Government statement.
The Generalitat of Valencia has declared a pre-emergency level 3, the maximum risk for forest fires, in the interior and south of the province of Valencia, and north of the province of Alicante. The Community of Madrid has also activated emergency protocols for the south of the community, where temperatures are expected to reach in excess of 39ºC in some areas.
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