MADRID, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Arsonists are suspected to be behind a wave of wildfires which have hit the region of Cantabria in the north of Spain, the regional government confirms.
The Cantabrian regional authority reports that round 32 different forest fires were active in 20 municipalities in the region at around 7:40 a.m. local time.
This was a reduction of six fires from the 38 which were active at around 6 a.m. after around 430 members of the fire brigade, along with civil guards and volunteers from civil protection units and the Red Cross had spent all night combating the flames.
Since Thursday 194 wildfires have been reported in the region with 50 active at nightfall on Sunday, although authorities hope that the arrival of daylight will allow the use of two aircraft and three helicopters to return to the battle against the flames.
Authorities also report that the majority of the fires were started deliberately.
Both the Civil Guards and Regional Government are investigating who is behind the wave of fires and have already made two arrests. One of the detainees is described as a 35-year-old man who was arrested on Saturday with a "hot" cigarette lighter moments after starting a fire in an area known as Monte Saja.
Another 39-year-old man was also detained on Sunday after authorities received information from citizens, who reported him in an area where a fire was detected shortly afterwards. Police followed him and made the arrest after a second fire began in the same area.
No people have been killed or injured as a result of the flames and although one fire caused moments of tension close to the town of Saja, no damage to property has yet been reported, although the damage to an area of great natural beauty is extensive.
