ARTESA DE SEGRE/TOLEDO, Spain – Three wildfires have laid waste to 1,600 hectares (3,950 acres) of pines and bushes in eastern Spain since Wednesday as a heatwave pushes temperatures close to record highs, regional firefighters said on Thursday.
Hundreds of firemen were on the ground battling the blazes with 120 trucks and a 19 aircraft to fight the flames near the towns of Baldomar, Corbera d’Ebre and Castellar Ribera, Catalonia’s regional fire department said.
Most efforts were focused on Baldomar, where flames threatened 20,000 hectares of woods and farmland. Some isolated houses were evacuated as was a child centre with 54 minors.
There have been no reports of deaths or injuries.