3 weeks ago
Southern Spain wildfire worsens as wind gusts hamper firefighting
A big fire is burning in Spain, a country in Europe.
The fire grew so large that firefighters could not put it out.
Strong winds made the fire spread fast and carried tiny burning sparks into the air.
Those sparks landed in new places and started smaller fires.
Almost 500 people had to leave their homes to stay safe.
Other fires were burning in other parts of Spain too.
One fire near a motorway started when a car caught fire, and 176 people had to leave.
Another fire made 900 people leave their town, but it was getting better.
Spain is having a very hot summer, and scientists say heatwaves are made worse by global warming.
Firefighters hope cooler, wetter weather will help them control the flames.
A large wildfire in southwestern Spain was burning beyond firefighters' ability to extinguish it on Monday, August 10.
The fire near the medieval town of Niebla in Andalusia has affected nearly 20,000 hectares.
Nearly 500 people were evacuated, as wind gusts and fire clouds spread flying embers in all directions.
Other blazes remained active in Segovia, where 176 people were evacuated, and in Castellon's Tirig, where 900 people were evacuated.
Spain has seen over 244,000 hectares burnt in 400 fires so far this year, according to the European Forest Fire Information System.
- Who
- Firefighters and regional authorities in Spain, including Andalusia's regional head of emergencies, Antonio Sanz.
- What
- A large wildfire burning beyond firefighters' control, worsened by wind gusts and flying embers, alongside other active fires in Segovia and Castellon.
- Where
- Southwestern Spain around the medieval town of Niebla in Andalusia, with other fires in Segovia and Castellon.
- When
- Monday, August 10, during Spain's summer wildfire season.
- Why
- Wind gusts, rugged terrain, convective fire clouds, and consecutive summer heatwaves and droughts that scientists say are exacerbated by global warming.
Key facts
- Main fire location
- Southwestern Spain, near the medieval town of Niebla (Andalusia)
- Area burned (Niebla fire)
- Nearly 20,000 hectares
- Evacuations (Niebla fire)
- Nearly 500 people
- Segovia fire
- Started Saturday when a vehicle ignited on a motorway; 176 people evacuated
- Castellon fire (Tirig)
- Around 800 hectares burned; 900 people evacuated; close to being stabilized
- Fires in Spain this year
- Over 244,000 hectares burned in 400 fires
- Data source
- European Forest Fire Information System estimates
- Key complicating factors
- Wind gusts, rugged terrain, and convective phenomena creating fire clouds
Quotes
Antonio Sanz
Andalusia’s regional head of emergencies
“A “long-distance obstacle race””
theprint.in
Sources
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