Flames have swept through several forested areas in Spain, forcing hundreds of people to leave their homes. So far, the area burned has exceeded 4,000 hectares.
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The provinces of Huelva and Castellón are among the worst-affected areas, where firefighting crews and emergency services are continuing their efforts to contain the fires.
The fire that broke out last Thursday in Niebla, west of Seville, has led to the evacuation of residents from several communities, including Berrocal, El Membrillo, El Pozuelo and Marigenta.
The Andalusian Forest Fire Service (INFOCA) said that around 400 people had left the endangered areas, while the flames had engulfed more than 4,000 hectares.
Throughout the night, around 150 forest firefighters were deployed in the operation to contain the blaze.
Andalusia’s regional minister for the Presidency, Health and Emergencies, Antonio Sanz, said the situation remained extremely difficult even 48 hours after the fire broke out.
He stressed that frequent changes in wind direction, together with burning embers spreading to other areas, were making the work of the deployed teams more difficult.
Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Ecological Transition Sara Aagesen is also expected to arrive at the Advanced Command Post in Niebla on Sunday. She will meet with the leaders of the emergency operation.
An equally serious situation has been reported in Castellón, where the fire in Tírig has prompted firefighting aircraft and helicopters to return to action.
The aircraft began operations in the early hours of Sunday morning. A day earlier, authorities had asked around 700 residents of the municipality of Catí to remain confined to their homes.
Throughout the night, around 200 personnel worked on the ground to halt the spread of the flames. Their task has been complicated by the difficult terrain, as well as the presence of several streams and valleys.
Juan Carlos Valderrama, the Valencian regional government’s minister for Emergencies and the Interior, said the fire had burned through around 395 hectares within a 15-kilometer perimeter.
Around 300 people, 19 aircraft and 50 ground units have been involved in the firefighting operation.
Authorities believe it is still too early to speak of the situation being stabilized. However, the weather forecast for the coming night is more favorable and could aid the work of emergency crews.
The Tírig fire is one of four blazes that broke out on Friday afternoon in inland areas of Castellón. Preliminary data indicate that they have affected around 244 hectares in total.
As for the causes of the fires, authorities suspect that lightning accompanying Friday’s storms may have played a role. Investigations are being conducted by the Seprona environmental unit.
In Sierra Engarcerán, south of Tírig, conditions have improved and the fire that started on Friday has been brought under control.
The Valencian Community’s Emergency Coordination Center announced on Sunday that the blaze had affected around 45 hectares within a 4-kilometer perimeter.
Following the improvement in conditions, authorities lifted the shelter-in-place order for the area. Around 91 evacuated residents returned to their homes, while 11 people who had been temporarily housed at the Els Ibarsos sports center left the facility.
Emergency crews are continuing to monitor the affected areas, while authorities are assessing the situation to prevent the fires from reigniting.
