A PILOT who was part of the team putting out over 100 forest fires in Asturias has been killed after his helicopter crashed.
The firefighter was the sole occupant of the craft, which his colleagues managed to reach at 13.38hrs today, but with some difficulty due to the terrain and the ongoing fires.
He was carrying out manoeuvres in the La Roza area and the helicopter went down in nearby Parres.
The exact cause of the crash is not known.
Towns and villages have been evacuated and motorways cut off after over 100 infernos started in different places throughout the northern coastal region and believed to be the work of arsonists.
Now into their fourth day, a total of 14 fires continue to burn, of which 10 have been brought under control.
A further three have crossed the regional border to the east into Cantabria.
