Madrid, August 10, 2026 – The Europe Today: Nearly 500 people have been evacuated as a major forest fire continues to burn in southwestern Spain, with the blaze having affected almost 20,000 acres in the province of Huelva, authorities said Sunday.
The wildfire, which broke out on Thursday, has rapidly spread across the region, driven in part by strong winds. The number of people evacuated rose to 474 on Sunday, although no towns or villages were considered to be under immediate threat.
Andalusian Interior Minister Antonio Sanz said the situation had shown signs of improvement, with more favorable weather conditions helping firefighters contain the blaze. He said the southern section of the fire was now under control.
Around 500 firefighters were continuing operations near the small town of Niebla, approximately 37 miles west of Seville, where crews were battling the flames across hilly woodland. Firefighting efforts were supported at various times by up to 26 aircraft and helicopters.
Spain is experiencing an exceptionally severe wildfire season this year, with nearly 200,000 hectares (494,000 acres) already affected by fires since the beginning of 2026, according to Minister for Ecological Transition Sara Aagesen.
Aagesen said Spain had recorded 40 major wildfires so far this year, compared with 15 during the same period last year, highlighting the unusually intense nature of the current fire season.
According to the Spanish wildfire portal Incendios Forestales, 37 mostly small forest and vegetation fires were active across the country on Sunday.
The Valencia region in eastern Spain, a popular destination for holidaymakers, and Castile and León in the northwest are among the areas that have been particularly affected by the ongoing wildfire activity.
