52 people have been evacuated from 24 different rural properties as a result of the wildfire that broke out in Rasquera (Tarragona) on Tuesday. A school bus route between Rasquera and neighbouring El Perelló also had to be cancelled on Wednesday morning.

The fire continues to burn uncontrolled and has now razed over 3,000 hectares of pine forest and shrubland. It spread to El Perelló, 23 kilometres away on Wednesday morning, and is now threatening the town of Tivenys.

250 firefighters from 60 different crews are on the scene, battling the flames, supported by ten aeroplanes and helicopters dropping water on the area. They expect to work through the night as the fire still rages out of control on the eastern flank.

21 of the 52 people evacuated spent the night in the sports hall in El Perelló, in the care of the Red Cross.  No-one has been injured in the fire so far, but there are reports that some El Perello's famous cave paintings could be at risk.

A school bus service that normally runs betweem Rasquera and El Perelló, catering for 25 students, had to be cancelled because of the spreading flames.  The TV-3022 between Rasquera and El Perelló has been closed in both directions.

Winds of over 40kmph have been forecast for the area, making the firefighters' job all the more difficult.