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Forest fires force thousands to evacuate in Canada
Montreal (AFP) July 19, 2009 Around 17,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes in the Kelowna region of Canada's British Columbia province, where forest fires have already devastated 300 hectares (741 acres) of land. At least nine houses have been consumed by the flames, which crossed a highway forcing the inhabitants of 6,500 homes to leave, but the fires have not caused any injuries or deaths so far, firefighters said. The British Columbia Fire Department said in a statement that 80 firefighters were dispatched Sunday to support a team of 45 firemen already battling two blazes that have surrounded the town of Kelowna, 350 kilometers (217 miles) east of Vancouver. Seven helicopters and eight water-spraying planes have also been deployed. The cause of the fires, which were declared Saturday and Sunday morning, remains unknown, but a combination of low humidity, high temperatures and strong winds have stoked the flames. The evacuees have gathered at an ice rink and a nearby school, according to local newspaper the Vancouver Sun. Share This Article With Planet Earth
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Hundreds flee wildfire in southern SpainMadrid (AFP) July 15, 2009 A wildfire sweeping across southern Spain forced authorities to evacuate around 500 people overnight in the country's first big blaze of the year, firefighters and local officials said Wednesday. Dozens of firefighters backed by 12 water-dropping planes and 13 helicopters were battling the blaze in the Sierra Cabrera between Turre and Mojacar in the province of Almeria which broke out on Tue ... read more |
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