Forest fire near Tarifa: Over 2,000 people evacuated on red alert!

Forest fire near Tarifa: Over 2,000 people evacuated on red alert!

Over 2,000 people had to be evacuated due to a devastating forest fire near Tarifa on the Spanish coast. The fire, which broke out on Monday morning in the eucalyptus and pine forests of the Sierra de la Plata, spread rapidly towards the sea and caused alarm among the residents of Playa de Atlanterra and Playa de Bolonia as well as among the numerous guests in the surrounding holiday resorts. Over 100 emergency services and 14 firefighting aircraft and helicopters are in action to control the flames, which are being fueled by strong winds with gusts of up to 50 km/h. Northern Courier reports that the situation remains tense as the region was hit by a similar fire a week ago that forced 1,500 people to flee.

But the problems caused by forest fires are not limited to Tarifa. Flames have also spread uncontrollably in Spain's Extremadura region, with around 700 people evacuated from three villages in the municipality of Las Hurdes. Arson is suspected to be the cause of this devastating fire, which has destroyed around 7,500 hectares of forest. Here too, numerous firefighters and firefighting aircraft are in constant use. Evacuees have been taken to emergency shelters as emergency crews battle to contain the flames. Merkur reports on the frightening extent of the fires this year.

Climate change as a driving force

The forest fire situation in Spain is being further exacerbated by the ongoing drought and rising temperatures. Experts also warn of an impending forest fire season, which still poses significant risks from July to September. Climate change has massively increased the risk of fires in the Mediterranean region. Since the start of the year, 320 fires in Spain have engulfed nearly 63,000 hectares of forest and bushland in flames, adding to concerns about the months ahead, Costa Nachrichten reports. The estimated area burned in 2022 alone has been revised from 60,000 to 200,000 hectares, making this year one of the worst years for wildfires in Spain's history.

This sad result also affects numerous people who are significantly inconvenienced by the evacuations and the destructive flames. In several villages in the province of Burgos, for example, six villages had to be evacuated due to a major fire. More than 3,200 people were evacuated in Malaga province as more than 6,000 hectares burned. A frightening picture that affects the entire country and causes great concern among the people affected.