Forest Fire Rages in Spain
Copyright © 2000 The Associated Press
August 7, 2000
MADRID, Spain (AP) - After working nonstop for 24 hours, firefighters brought under control Monday a fire that charred miles of forests in northeast Spain and forced hundreds out of their homes.
Morning winds gusting at 40 mph fanned the flames in Gerona province, north of Barcelona on the border with France, thwarting the work of 300 firefighters using planes, hoses and shovels to battle one of the worst fires in Spain this summer.
But as of midday the wind had eased somewhat and only one active front remained, said Xavier Pomes, interior minister of the Catalonia regional government. Officials said Monday evening that the fire was under control.
Pomes said that the fire had charred more than 9 square miles of the Cabo de Creus national park and 1 1/2 square miles of the L'Albera national park.
Firefighters were also able to control a front that had been advancing east toward Cadaques, a Mediterranean coastal town famous for being the birthplace of surrealist painter Salvador Dali.
Officials said the fire started Sunday, apparently when someone set fire to a pile of scrubwood.
An estimated 2,500 people were evacuated but most had returned to their homes Monday.
The rail line linking Spain and France was cut off briefly, but was reopened Monday, the Catalan emergency coordination center said.