Wildfire near Spanish tourist town under control
The blaze had started on Aug 5 at a campsite, with strong winds causing it to spread near the tourist destination of Tarifa.
MADRID - Firefighters have brought under control a wind-driven wildfire near the southern Spanish tourist town of Tarifa that forced the evacuation of more than 1,500 people, officials said on Aug 8.
The blaze broke out on Aug 5 in La Pena, a wooded area near a beach outside Tarifa, a coastal town of about 19,000 residents known for its strong winds that attract windsurfers.
The authorities said the fire started in a camper van at a campsite and quickly spread in the gusty conditions.
About 1,550 people and 5,000 vehicles were evacuated from campsites, hotels and homes.
Residents and tourists were allowed to return on Aug 6 after the fire was declared 'stabilised'.
While the flames have been contained, firefighting crews will remain in the area in the coming days to secure the perimeter and prevent flare-ups, Andalusia's regional firefighting agency, Infoca, said on X.
Spain is currently experiencing a heatwave, with temperatures nearing 40 deg C in many regions.
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The extreme heat is expected to last until at least Aug 13, as civil protection authorities warned of a high to extreme wildfire risk across much of the country. AFP
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