First major forest fire in Spain destroys 600 hectares in one day

Madrid [Spain], April 16: Spain's first major forest fire of the year has destroyed some 600 hectares of land in just 24 hours in the east of the country, according to the authorities.
Some 180 people have been evacuated in the affected mountainous region around Tarbena in Alicante province, some 90 kilometres south of Valencia, broadcaster RTVE reported on Monday, citing the authorities.
The fire, which broke out on Sunday less than 15 kilometres from the Mediterranean Sea, is spreading rapidly, it said.
Pilar Bernabe, the representative of Madrid's central
government in the Autonomous Community of Valencia, told journalists that the cause was suspected to be slash-and-burn practices. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune