Spain | An unprecedented wave of “arsons” devastates the Principality of Asturias

In 72 hours, the flames of the hundreds of fires that devastate the principality of Asturias have already destroyed thousands of hectares. The flames, fanned by gusts of winds of up to 100 kilometers per hour and temperatures around 30º C, have forced the eviction of 400 citizens, the closure of schools and the closure of roads.

Currently, there are more than 90 active outbreaks of the 121 that were registered on Friday morning. The fires have reached Mount Naranco, near Oviedo, the regional capital.

The Minister of Rural Environment and Territorial Cohesion of the Government of Asturias, Alejandro Calvo, told the national media that the flames are intentional: “We do not know what the background is, but obviously it is a wave of arson that is unprecedented.”

The community of Cantabria, in eastern Asturias, also registers 33 fires, 29 active and 4 controlled.

The President of the Principality, Adrián Barbón, said that Asturias does not burn, “they burn it”, and that he will ask the Government to declare Asturias a catastrophic area. In addition, the mayors of the municipalities of Tineo and Valdés have described the situation as “environmental terrorism.”

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