Spanish officials urged 'fire tourists' on Sunday to stay away from the fires burning in the east of the country, stating that onlookers are putting themselves at risk and hindering firefighting efforts. Emergency services reported that more than 500 firefighters, supported by 20 planes and helicopters, have been battling the fires for four days after they erupted near a village in Valencia.
Gabriela Bravo, the official in charge of internal affairs for the Valencia region, told reporters that police spotted 14 cyclists near the fire sites trying to get a closer view. Bravo added, "We ask again, above all, for tourists not to engage in fire tourism and not to approach the surrounding area."
Officials reported that the first significant wildfires in Spain this year have destroyed more than 4,000 hectares (about 9,900 acres) of forest and forced 1,700 villagers to evacuate their homes in the Valencia and Aragon regions. Locals say the fire could leave a devastating impact on the local economy, which relies on tourism.
