Thousands Evacuated as Gran Canaria Fire Burns Out of Control

An out-of-control wildfire continued to rage on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria Tuesday, August 20, forcing the evacuation of more than 9,000 people, according to local government officials.

Local media reported that 470 people battled the blaze overnight on Monday. The fire, which started on Saturday, had burned 10,000 hectares by Tuesday.

The resources used to combat the fire were the largest ever deployed for a blaze in the Canary Islands, according to Angel Víctor Torres, the island’s president. Credit: Cabildo Gran Canaria via Storyful