Raging fires in Spain damage ancient cave art

Cave-art pieces dating from the Stone Age and considered among Spain's national treasures havebeen damaged in forest fires raging across northwest Spain.

Government officials in the Galiciaregion announced Friday thatpetroglyphs (paintings and carvings on rock) of wildlife and geometric patterns dating back about 4,000 years have been charred and blackened by the fires.

Iria Mendez, a spokesperson for the local government, said it was too early to tell if the art has been damaged beyond repair.

In the past week, more than 100 fires have spread across the wooded northwest region of Spain, which is home to wildlife and remains of ancient human habitation. Residents in some areas have also been forced to leave.

Authorities have said that some of the outbreaks were clearly planned and have arrested more than a dozen people on suspicion of starting the fires.

Other European Union nations have sent reinforcements and resources to aid Spanish firefighting crews. Spain has announced plans to deploy 200 elite army engineers to join the approximately 1,200 troops already supporting firefighters to battle the fires.

Authorities in the region have said thousands of fires are recorded each year. The majority of them are started by those attempting to illegally clear the woodland grounds.