The blaze in the southwest Andalusia region is threatening a national park famed for its biodiversity
A wildfire has forced more than 2,000 people to flee homes, campsites and hotels in southwest Spain.
ADVERTISEMENTThe flames have reached the protected zone around a national park famed for its biodiversity, with strong heat and wind hampering fire crews’ efforts to bring it under control.
The blaze broke out on Saturday night near Huelva in the Andalusia region and may have been started deliberately according to Spanish media reports.
The mass evacuation came as Spain seeks to avoid the human tragedy seen in neighbouring Portugal where a forest fire claimed over 60 lives last week.
Survivors of Portugal's deadly forest fire recall their dramatic escape https://t.co/VDOuyrLxbbpic.twitter.com/YslnlIqH6t
— TIME (@TIME) 21 juin 2017
As makeshift shelters are provided, fears are growing for the Doñana National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site that is home to numerous endangered species including the Iberian lynx and the Spanish Imperial Eagle.
Planes and helicopters have been brought in to help combat the fire in a joint military-civilian operation.
with Reuters