Fires ravage island in Spain's Canaries

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

LA GOMERA, Spain (AFP) — More than 150 firemen and four helicopters on Sunday battled forest fires on the small Canaries island of La Gomera, authorities said.

Around 500 people were evacuated from their homes after the fires broke out on Saturday on the rugged and mountainous island in Spain's Atlantic archipelago, a popular tourist destination.

The fires were "almost under control" Sunday morning, a local government official said.

But the hot, dry wind changed direction and the flames to spread again, an AFP photographer on the island said.

The head of the island's council, Casimiro Curbelo, said more than 700 hectares (1,700 acres) have already been affected, but the flames have not reached the island's Garajonay National Park.

The Canary...