2,000 evacuated in La Palma wildfire in Spain’s Canary Islands; official says blaze ‘out of control’

Over 2,000 individuals have been forced to evacuate as an uncontrollable wildfire ravages La Palma, located in Spain’s Canary Islands. Approximately a dozen homes have already been destroyed, according to authorities.

The fire has engulfed an extensive area of about 4,500 hectares (11,000 acres), with officials issuing warnings that the situation may exacerbate due to the current heat wave, which has left the terrain extremely dry and susceptible to ignition.

Fernando Clavijo, the regional president of the Canary Islands, expressed concern over the rapid spread of the fire and its uncontrollable nature. He appealed to residents to act responsibly and prioritize their safety by adhering to evacuation orders.

Clavijo further highlighted the potential risks posed by shifting winds during the night, which could complicate the ongoing evacuation efforts. Presently, ten aircraft are engaged in combating the fire, and additional water-dropping planes are expected to arrive soon.

These developments occur nearly two years after a three-month volcanic eruption on La Palma that resulted in extensive devastation. Although there were no casualties, approximately 3,000 structures, numerous banana plantations, roads, and irrigation systems were buried under the volcanic debris.

The current wildfire is confined to the western side of La Palma, predominantly encompassing wooded, hilly terrain interspersed with residential properties. This particular area was unaffected by the volcanic eruption in 2021.

Vicente Rodríguez, the mayor of Puntagorda, revealed that the fire originated within his municipality. He emphasized that the region, like many parts of the drought-stricken mainland, has experienced below-average rainfall in recent years, attributing this to changing weather patterns influenced by climate change.

The wildfire coincides with a heat wave sweeping across southern Europe. Spain has already witnessed record-breaking temperatures in 2022 and this spring, coupled with a prolonged drought. Authorities and forestry experts are deeply concerned about the potential for a challenging wildfire season, as virulent fires have been reported as early as March.

La Palma, home to approximately 85,000 residents, is one of eight islands comprising Spain’s Canary Islands archipelago off the western coast of Africa. The islands are situated around 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Morocco at their closest point.

This report includes contributions from Frank Griffiths in London.

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