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Fires rage across Canary island | Fires rage across Canary island |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A huge forest fire is out of control on one of the Canary Islands, forcing the evacuation of up to 4,000 people, including tourists. | A huge forest fire is out of control on one of the Canary Islands, forcing the evacuation of up to 4,000 people, including tourists. |
Two military planes, six helicopters and 500 firemen are fighting the flames on La Palma, which have been spread by strong winds and high temperatures. | Two military planes, six helicopters and 500 firemen are fighting the flames on La Palma, which have been spread by strong winds and high temperatures. |
Some residents were saved just minutes before fire engulfed their homes. | Some residents were saved just minutes before fire engulfed their homes. |
There are fears the flames could spread to an observatory housing the world's largest telescope. | There are fears the flames could spread to an observatory housing the world's largest telescope. |
The Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory has been operating for more than 20 years, and a new telescope was inaugurated last month. | |
The worst fires are around the towns of Fuencaliente and Mazo, both popular with tourists. | The worst fires are around the towns of Fuencaliente and Mazo, both popular with tourists. |
Dozens have been unable to catch flights home because of road closures. | Dozens have been unable to catch flights home because of road closures. |
La Palma is a small, relatively undeveloped island, with a resident population of about 85,000. | La Palma is a small, relatively undeveloped island, with a resident population of about 85,000. |
It is dominated by a dormant volcano, and is renowned as one of the greenest of the Canary Islands. But its lush vegetation has been seared by the high temperatures of recent days. | It is dominated by a dormant volcano, and is renowned as one of the greenest of the Canary Islands. But its lush vegetation has been seared by the high temperatures of recent days. |
Smaller fires have broken out on other Canary Islands, including La Gomera, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria, but are expected to be brought under control soon. | Smaller fires have broken out on other Canary Islands, including La Gomera, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria, but are expected to be brought under control soon. |
Many parts of Gran Canaria were destroyed by a massive fire two years ago. | Many parts of Gran Canaria were destroyed by a massive fire two years ago. |