China News Service, September 10, reported that a forest fire broke out in the province of Málaga, Andalusia, Spain. More than 900 local residents have been forced to evacuate. The authorities closed an important road and several roads, and about 300 firefighters The personnel went to put out the fire.
Reuters reported that a firefighter died while responding to a mountain fire.
The mountain fire reflects the red sky.
(Image source: Video screenshot of Estepona Civil Defense Department)
It is reported that the wildfire broke out in the Sierra Bermeja Mountains in Malaga on the evening of the 8th local time. The emergency services said that as of now, about 2,000 hectares of forest area have been burned.
The local area has launched a first-level emergency plan for forest fires. Several roads, including the AP-7 highway along the Mediterranean coast, were closed due to the fire.
Witnesses said that a lot of smoke billowed from the forest, and the sky was reflected orange-red.
The emergency services department said on social networking sites that more than 300 firefighters are working to extinguish the uncontrolled fire.
Regional environmental director Carmen Crespo said that a 44-year-old firefighter died while responding to a wildfire.
Firefighters said that strong gusts of up to 60 kilometers per hour and hot dry weather, coupled with the steep terrain in mountainous areas, brought great inconvenience to fire fighting.
Local officials suspect that someone may have deliberately started the fire.
Authorities said about 939 residents were evacuated from four communities in Estepona and a neighbourhood in Benahavis.
Many people told the Spanish public television that the police only gave them a few minutes to leave.
It is said that the local government is relocating them to a sports center in Estepona and the conference hall of the Benahavis city government building.