Spain is going through its worst environmental crisis in 30 years, caused by the fires devouring, just so far, nearly 400,000 hectares.

You have to go back to 1994 to find the level of destruction that has been caused in Galicia, Castilla-León and Extremadura, where at the time of writing the fires remain unchecked.

Ten roads have had to be closed with the majority being in León but over in Galicia 67,500 hectares have been swallowed up by walls of flames and the train service between Madrid and Galicia has been suspended over a period of six consecutive days. Even the train service between Granada and Madrid had to be suspended because of a fire near the tracks in the province of Toledo.

Meanwhile, Extremadura burns, as the fire in Jarilla (Cáceres) has destroyed 15,500 hectares in an area within a 155-kilometre perimeter. Twenty-five aircraft have been brought in from other automous regions of Spain, as well as from Germany and other types of support from France, Italy and the Netherlands.

But even so the fire crossed the regional border of Extremadura with Salamanca and tore into the Sierra de Candelario, which is full of oak trees.

Of course, politicians are taking the opportunity to score political points. The leader of the main opposition party, Alberto Núñez Feijó, accused the Ministry of Defence of not sending in the Army. The Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, accused him of political demagogy, pointing out that the Unidad Military de Emergencia (UME) has been deployed since the 2nd of August, which is the only military unit for providing help in disaster emergencies. In other words, the only unit trained in this role. They are not trained to tackle fires directly but to provide logistics, heavy machinery and carry out evacuations, etc. So far their deployment numbers are around 500. She also pointed out that the Army and Air Force are also providing transport and other logistical support.

The fact is, the fires cannot be completely put out until weather conditions change; lower temperatures and rain.

(News: Spain)

Keywords: Forest Fires, Galicia, Castilla-León, Extremadura, Infoca, UME, Minister of Defence, Feijó

news, spain, forest fires, galicia, castilla-león, extremadura, infoca, ume, minister of defence, feijó