Rare birds at risk in Hungary fire

The fire came during record high temperatures in the country

BUDAPEST, Hungary -- Army helicopters and dozens of firefighters are trying to tackle a wildfire which is sweeping through a national park home to rare birds.

The blaze, which began in the Hortobagy national park on Thursday, has already engulfed about 70 square kilometres (27 square miles) of the plain's reedy grassland.

Record high temperatures, reaching 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), and strong winds are fanning the fire across the "puszta" plain in the northeastern park.

Several villages have been warned to prepare for evacuation.

Tibor Dobson, a spokesman for the National Emergency Centre, told Reuters: "A strong wind is strengthening the fire, and the marshy area is almost inaccessible to vehicles."

The cause of the fire is not yet known, but it threatens the nesting areas of several rare birds, including the large bustard which is almost extinct in Europe.

The park, about 145 kilometres (90 miles) east of Budapest, was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, and is home to more than 300 species of birds including rare owls, herons and eagles.

Tourists also visit the park to see herdsmen in traditional dress driving grey longhorn cattle.

The endangered Przewalski Horse, which is only found in China and Mongolia outside Hungary, is also a feature of the park.