A major wildfire burning in Huelva province remains out of control after scorching more than 3,600 hectares of land.

Hundreds of residents have been forced to leave their homes as firefighters battle difficult conditions.

The blaze broke out on Monday in the Los Turbios area of Villanueva de los Castillejos and quickly spread towards neighbouring municipalities, including San Bartolome de la Torre.

Authorities are now closely monitoring its advance towards Gibraleon.

Andalucia minister Antonio Sanz described the fire as ‘very complex’ following a challenging night for emergency crews.

According to officials, powerful winds of up to 40km/hr combined with large amounts of dry vegetation allowed the fire to spread at an alarming rate during its first few hours.

The flames are believed to have consumed around 100 hectares per hour during the early stages of the incident, with the affected area now estimated to exceed 3,600 hectares.

Emergency teams remain particularly concerned about a forecast change in wind direction late on Tuesday, which could complicate containment efforts and drive the fire into new areas.

Despite the scale of the wildfire, authorities insist there is currently no immediate danger to the wider population.

However, precautionary evacuations were carried out in isolated homes, farms and temporary worker settlements located near the advancing flames.

A total of 365 people were evacuated from affected areas around San Bartolome de la Torre on Monday evening.

Officials later confirmed that many residents had already been allowed to return. According to the latest figures, 234 people have gone back to their homes, while 92 are staying with relatives.

Another 22 remain housed in a local sports hall and four people are being accommodated at Gibraleón Town Hall.

The Junta has kept the Infoca wildfire emergency plan at Operational Level 1 as crews continue efforts to stabilise the fire.

Antonio Sanz travelled to the Advanced Command Post in San Bartolome de la Torre on Tuesday to monitor the situation.

More than 220 ground personnel are currently deployed, supported by 23 aircraft and helicopters.

The return of aerial firefighting resources at first light has provided a significant boost to containment operations as crews attempt to slow the fire’s advance.

Authorities have urged members of the public to avoid travelling to affected areas and to follow instructions from emergency services.

Local officials in San Bartolome de la Torre have reported that the worst of the threat to the municipality appears to have passed, with the main fire front now moving towards Gibraleon.

The A-495 road, which had been closed as a safety precaution, has since reopened to traffic.

However, disruption remains elsewhere. Spain’s traffic authority, the DGT, announced on Tuesday afternoon that a section of the N-431 near Gibraleon and the Odiel River bridge has been closed due to the wildfire.

The closure affects both directions of the road between kilometre markers 90.5 and 93, according to officials.

Firefighters are expected to remain at the scene throughout the coming days as they continue efforts to bring the blaze under control.