Devastating Fires Ravage Spain's Forests, Leading to Mass Displacement

A forest fire has intensified in Tenerife, Spain, forcing thousands to flee their homes after efforts to contain it failed last night due to hot, dry weather and strong winds. Emergency services reported late Saturday that ten towns have been affected by the fire, though 11 towns had been evacuated as a precaution. No major tourist areas have been impacted by the fire thus far. Evacuation orders were issued Saturday due to worsening weather conditions overnight. In a press conference last night, the local government president of Tenerife, Rosa Davila, described the fire as "devastating," noting it has led to new evacuations. By Sunday morning, regional authorities announced the evacuation of 12,279 people, revising their earlier estimate of 26,000 evacuees. The fire erupted on Wednesday in a mountainous national park surrounding Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain. More than 20,000 acres have been damaged by the fire in an area spanning 70 kilometers, but popular tourist areas in Tenerife have remained unaffected, and both airports there are operating normally.