This is the moment a devastating forest fire began approaching homes in Benahavis on Thursday.
Footage shared online shows a wall of flames spreading across vegetation near the luxury Monte Mayor urbanisation.
The inferno has forced the evacuation of dozens of residents and their pets, with a number pictured taking shelter in the Benahavis sports hall.
Monte Mayor is hugely popular with the expat community, particularly among Brits and Nordics.
In an update issued shortly before 7pm, INFOCA said it had increased the number of resources deployed to the blaze.
Antonio Sanz, Andalucia’s minister responsible for emergencies, said the Infoca Plan has been elevated to ‘Emergency Level 1’.
Homes in the Parque Botanico Country Club are among those being evacuated, while a section of the AP-7 motorway has been closed in the vicinity of the flames.
Benahavis town hall said: ‘Everyone evacuated due to the fire in Parque Botanico can go to the Benahavís municipal sports hall, where a space has been set up to provide accommodation and assistance.’
Authorities are urging the public to stay away from the area and follow all instructions issued by the emergency services.
Tourists and residents have been sharing photos of the flames and smoke, which are clearly visible from their hotels or homes.
One Brit posted a picture of the smoke on X, writing: ‘Awful wildfire near to us in Estepona. Horrible to think of the poor animals, residents and emergency services these fires affect.
‘Happening more frequently of late. We go home after our holiday but they have to live with the constant worry.’
Meanwhile, there has been traffic chaos on the AP-7 after it was abruptly closed to motorists during the busiest time of day.
The blaze is affecting the luxury Montemayor urbanisation, where firefighters have launched a major response after thick black smoke was seen billowing into the sky above the Costa del Sol.
Proteccion Civil Estepona has urged anyone in the area to move their vehicles out of the way and leave access routes clear for emergency services.
The inferno coincided with the arrival of the ‘terral’ on Thursday, a hot dry wind that caused a spike in temperatures and placed the Costa del Sol and Guadalhorce Valley under a heat alert from state weather agency Aemet.
Emergency crews have been increased to 110 firefighters, supported by four fire engines, seven helicopters – including one light, three medium (one provided by MITECO), two heavy helicopters and one command-and-control aircraft.
They are joined by ground-loading aircraft, two light amphibious aircraft and one heavy amphibious aircraft from Spain’s Ecological Transition Ministry (MITECO). A medical unit also remains on standby.
The fire continues to be managed under Emergency Phase, Operational Situation 1, with aerial images showing the blaze burning across a large area close to residential developments and the AP-7 motorway.
Authorities continue to urge residents to follow instructions from emergency services and avoid the are
