A fierce wildfire has erupted near a popular beach destination in southern Spain, forcing a swift evacuation of both tourists and residents alike. The blaze ignited Tuesday afternoon in the hills of Torre de la Peña, just behind the renowned resort town of Tarifa, located in the Cádiz province of Andalusia.
Firefighters are facing challenging conditions as strong winds, gusting between 20 and 25 kilometres per hour, are helping the flames spread rapidly across the rugged terrain. The fire is advancing dangerously close to the N-340 motorway, prompting authorities to partially close the route between Las Piñas and Pedro Valiente to protect motorists and aid firefighting efforts.
Local officials have evacuated all hospitality venues, including bars, restaurants, and hotels stretching from La Peña to Casas de Porros, according to local reports.
The fire is believed to have started inside a motorhome at the Torre de la Peña campsite, which has also been cleared for safety reasons.
As the fire surged westward, it consumed dry grasslands and hills dotted with homes and tourist facilities, including the Wawa Hotel, which suffered damage from the encroaching flames.
Several beachfront bars were also forced to shut down due to heavy ash falling along the shore.
Another major wildfire is raging just across the Spanish border in southern France, where one person has died and several others have been injured as the flames continue to spread.
The fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon near the village of Ribaute in the Aude region, a rural, forested area known for its vineyards. Around 1,800 firefighters have been deployed to contain the blaze.
Authorities confirmed that an elderly woman lost her life in her home, while nine others sustained injuries, including seven firefighters.
The wildfire has scorched more than 12,000 hectares of land making it France’s largest wildfire of the summer so far.