Spanish soldiers, firefighters battle to extinguish fire that has destroyed 5,000 acres

MADRID – Firefighters, soldiers and residents are battling to extinguish a wildfire that has destroyed some 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres) of woodland and fields in northwestern Spain.

Regional environment department spokeswoman Jesica Lopez said 500 firefighters and soldiers worked through the night to try to put out the day-old blaze around the town of Cualedro. Some residents beat back the flames with bush branches and shovels while others used wheel barrows and buckets to carry water to throw on the fire. Lopez said there was no immediate threat to local houses

She said nine water-carrying planes and 30 firefighting trucks had been deployed

Efforts to control the fire were hampered by strong winds and high summer temperatures.