Fires rage on Spain's Canary Islands

Sunday 02 August 2009 13:00 BST

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Officials say strong winds are fanning forest fires for a second day on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma.

Regional government security counselor Jose Miguel Ruano says ground-based firefighters have had to retreat as the fire rages near La Palma's town of Fuencaliente.

Around 500 firefighters are deployed along with seven water-dropping aircraft. The flames have destroyed some 30 homes and several wineries, and some 4,000 residents were evacuated from the area on Saturday

La Palma is one of the least developed of the Canary Islands, off West Africa, and was praised by pop star Madonna in her song "La Isla Bonita."

Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero plans to visit today.

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Fires rage on Spain's Canary Islands

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