MOGUER, Spain (Reuters) – Hundreds of firefighters worked through the night from Sunday (June 25) to Monday (June 26) to contain major forest fires in southern Spain that forced the evacuation of more than 1,500 people from homes, campsites and hotels.
The blaze was spotted on Saturday night in the Moguer region near Huelva and was being treated as a level 1 – or maximum threat – by emergency services.
Authorities on Monday said the fire, which could threaten the Donaña National Park, had been contained.
The national park is an important wildlife reserve, home to numerous endangered species including the Iberian lynx and Spanish Imperial Eagle.
Adverse windy conditions over the weekend made it difficult to predict when the blaze would be brought completely under control.
Around 750 people are being housed temporarily in sports centres, according to the emergency services. Some residents had already been allowed to return to their properties.