The Spanish army has reinforced efforts to battle a major wildfire in Huelva amid ‘difficult’ conditions.
The blaze has been classified as an Operational Level 2 emergency, prompting one of the largest firefighting responses seen in Andalucia this summer.
Hundreds of residents have been forced to flee their homes after worsening weather conditions fuelled the massive wildfire raging near Niebla.
The blaze remains out of control after another difficult day on Saturday, with strong and shifting winds continuing to frustrate firefighters despite a huge emergency response involving hundreds of personnel on the ground and in the air.
The Junta issued an Es-Alert emergency warning ordering the evacuation of around 340 people from the villages of Berrocal, Marigenta, El Membrillo and El Pozuelo as the fire advanced.
The latest evacuations come after dozens of residents were already forced from their homes on Friday.
The wildfire has now scorched more than 4,000 hectares, according to acting Spanish government delegate for Andalucía Francisco Toscano, who visited the fire front alongside the Military Emergency Unit (UME).
Emergencies minister Antonio Sanz admitted on Saturday morning that ‘the outlook is not good’, warning that high temperatures, changing winds, difficult terrain and dense vegetation were continuing to drive the fire.
‘The terrain, the large amount of vegetation, constant wind shifts and the appearance of new secondary fire fronts are making extinguishing efforts extremely difficult,’ he said.
Authorities have urged evacuated residents not to return home until officially instructed to do so.
More than 300 firefighters and emergency personnel are battling the blaze, supported by 26 aircraft and 12 bulldozers, including heavy machinery from the UME to create new firebreaks.
The Spanish government has also significantly increased its support, deploying 250 military personnel and around 100 vehicles and specialist resources to assist local crews.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez praised the efforts of firefighters and emergency services, saying the government would provide ‘whatever resources are necessary’ to bring the wildfire under control.
Despite Saturday’s deteriorating conditions, emergency officials remain hopeful that a forecast change in the weather on Sunday could give firefighters a better opportunity to slow the advance of the flames.
The wildfire remains at Level 2 under Andalucía’s Infoca emergency plan, with emergency services warning that the situation is still highly volatile.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
