In the north of Spain, 1000 hectares of forest are burning. Authorities reported arson

In the autonomous community of Galicia in northern Spain, forest fires are being fought. They covered an area of ​​1000 hectares in two days. The authorities believe that malicious intent was the cause of the spread of the fire.

The fire crept up to the populated areas, and the city of Lugo was clouded with smoke, writes El Pais. The local administration had to block several highways. In some places, the work of telephone and mobile communications, as well as the Internet is disrupted, informs Public.

To extinguish the fires, four helicopters with a carrying capacity of 1200 liters and four Canadair amphibious aircraft with a carrying capacity of 5500 liters each are used. Also, an additional team of 63 firefighters was sent to the disaster area, who will join the Galician colleagues already working on the spot.

Galicia’s Agriculture Minister Jose Gonzalez said the fires started after sunset on Sunday 5 September. According to him, the fire could not appear at night for natural reasons. The fire was set off with “apparent intent” at several locations on the two banks of the Sil River, transfers Interfax.