Massive inferno spreading to Doñana forces evacuation of 2,000 people
Massive inferno spreading to Doñana forces evacuation of 2,000 people
OVER 2,000 residents have been evacuated as a major inferno sweeps across the province of Huelva, threatening the Doñana National Park.
Two holiday parks, the Parador Nacional State-run hotel and the El Arenosillo Army barracks have all been emptied and their occupants forced to flee for their own safety.
Regional president of Andalucía, Susana Díaz, says she suspects 'the human factor' is behind the blaze, or that it is the work of arsonists.
High temperatures and winds of over 60 kilometres per hour mean the fire is out of control and emergency services say the next few hours will be 'critical'.
The inferno broke out at around 21.30 last night (Saturday) in the rural La Peñuela area close to the town of Moguer and has already crept across the Doñana border.
Firefighters say they have managed to get the flames surrounded and expect a wind change that could help stop it spreading further.
The flames have been extending in a long line, fuelled by a north wind, and by this morning had travelled over 12 kilometres in less than five hours.
So far, the A-494 has been shut in two places, from kilometre 21 to 28 in one direction and from kilometre 28 to 52 in the other, covering the Matalascañas, Mazagón and Palos areas, and the provincial highway, the HU-3110 between kilometre 0 and 7 as well as the Las Peñuelas lane have been closed.
At least 21 planes and helicopters have been brought in, but were unable to start work until around 06.30 this morning as they cannot fly in the dark.
Even King Felipe VI has contacted the regional government to find out more and pass on his condolences to the evacuees.
