Spain On Fire?
Spanish officials say more than 3,100 people have been evacuated due to a wildfire that is out of control in the southern region of Andalusia 
Wildfires advance in Almonaster la Real in Huelva, Spain, Thursday Aug. 27, 2020. Hundreds of people were evacuated and thousands of hectares have already burned in a wildfire that began on Thursday in the southern region of Andalusia, in Huelva. (A. Perez, Europa Press via AP) The Associated Press BARCELONA, Spain — An out-of-control wildfire is raging in Spain’s southern region of Andalusia, forcing more than 3,100 people to evacuate, authorities said Sunday.
The blaze broke out Thursday in the mountains near the town of Almonaster la Real, 120 kilometers (75 miles) northwest of the city of Seville. It has already scorched 100 square kilometers (38. 5 square miles).
Sixteen helicopters and eight planes are helping more than 500 workers tackle the blaze, including firefighters and army emergency personnel who worked around the clock this weekend. “It is very difficult to say when the wildfire will be under control,” said Juan Sanchez of the Andalusia Forest Fire Department, as weather conditions are playing a key role.
- The wind dropped overnight, making their task a little easier, but authorities expect the fire will be fueled by strong winds later Sunday;
- Crews were also struggling to reach all affected areas because of the rugged terrain, officials said;
A further 70 people were evacuated Saturday because of a wildfire in Mula, a small town in Spain’s southeastern region of Murcia, while firefighters are also trying to extinguish two wildfires in the western region of Extremadura.
Where are the wildfires in Spain?
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters. com – MADRID, Aug 17 (Reuters) – A cry of “run, run, run, run” rang out across the hillside as a wall of flame fed by high winds swept down towards four Spanish firefighters, engulfing tinder-dry bracken seconds after they fled for their lives.
- The wildfire they were battling on Wednesday was in the eastern Valencia region, and the brush with death happened as crews tried to prevent flames from reaching a village in the municipality of Bejis, north of Valencia city;
Three firefighters were injured by flames and several villages in the area were evacuated, local emergency services said on Twitter.
How is the Spanish government responding to the wildfires in Spain?
Image source, EPA Around 2,000 people have left their homes after wildfires broke out in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. One emergency worker has been killed in the blaze, which began on Wednesday on high ground above the popular resort town of Estepona on the Costa del Sol. The Spanish government has deployed a military unit to help firefighters in the mountainous region.
Six more towns and villages were evacuated on Sunday, and huge plumes of smoke could be seen from miles away. Residents of five other communities were told to leave their homes on Friday. The wildfires have burned about 7,400 hectares (18,200 acres), according to Spanish media.
Andalusia’s regional forest fire agency said hundreds of firefighters were tackling the blaze, supported by 41 aircraft and 25 vehicles. Juan Sánchez, a senior official for the regional fire service, described it as the “most complex” fire seen there in recent times. ” “This is inhuman, nothing like this has ever been seen,” one evacuee, Adriana Iacob told Reuters news agency. “The flames of the fire as they ran through the mountains, it was amazing. ” “Since the fire started, we haven’t slept for days. It’s awful,” another local resident, Pepa Rubio, said. Europe has seen a number of wildfires this summer. Media caption, A look at some of the fires spreading across Europe – and the rest of the globe Climate change increases the risk of the hot, dry weather that is likely to fuel wildfires.
Is this the most complicated fire Spain has faced in recent years?
‘Right now, we’re probably dealing with the most complicated fire that Spanish firefighting services have faced in recent years,’ said Juan Sánchez, the director of Infoca’s regional operations centre. ‘We’ve spent a lot of time talking about how difficult the abandonment of rural areas and climate change are making things.
How big are the wildfires in Andalusia?
Image source, EPA Around 2,000 people have left their homes after wildfires broke out in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. One emergency worker has been killed in the blaze, which began on Wednesday on high ground above the popular resort town of Estepona on the Costa del Sol. The Spanish government has deployed a military unit to help firefighters in the mountainous region.
Six more towns and villages were evacuated on Sunday, and huge plumes of smoke could be seen from miles away. Residents of five other communities were told to leave their homes on Friday. The wildfires have burned about 7,400 hectares (18,200 acres), according to Spanish media.
Andalusia’s regional forest fire agency said hundreds of firefighters were tackling the blaze, supported by 41 aircraft and 25 vehicles. Juan Sánchez, a senior official for the regional fire service, described it as the “most complex” fire seen there in recent times. ” “This is inhuman, nothing like this has ever been seen,” one evacuee, Adriana Iacob told Reuters news agency. “The flames of the fire as they ran through the mountains, it was amazing. ” “Since the fire started, we haven’t slept for days. It’s awful,” another local resident, Pepa Rubio, said. Europe has seen a number of wildfires this summer. Media caption, A look at some of the fires spreading across Europe – and the rest of the globe Climate change increases the risk of the hot, dry weather that is likely to fuel wildfires.