Big fire burns in Canary Islands

MADRID, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Firefighters struggled Monday to contain a major fire on the Island of La Palma in the Canary Islands, authorities said.

An estimated 600 firefighters, aided by aircraft, contained the fire on the island's west side but it continued to burn out of control on the island's east side, government spokeswoman Ana Vidal told CNN. The fire was driven by hot, dry winds.

More than 6,000 acres were affected, with the fire burning some valleys and leaving others unscathed, Vidal said.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero visited the island Sunday, promising aid to burned-out homeowners and businesses.

"We have a very tough fight this summer," Zapatero said as firefighters battled four other forest fires on Spanish territory.

So far this year, 9,915 fires have scorched more than 170,000 acres in Spain, a 26 percent increase in the number of fires over last year.