Forest fire in Huelva: evacuation and firefighting amid strong winds. A major forest fire continues in Huelva. More than 250 firefighters and equipment are on the scene. Authorities have evacuated 365 people as the fire moves towards Gibraleón.
A large-scale forest fire in the province of Huelva remains uncontrolled after breaking out in the area of Villanueva de los Castillejos. Overnight, the flames spread across more than 2,000 hectares, forcing authorities to urgently evacuate 365 residents from nearby homes, farms, and tourist complexes. According to local services, the main front of the fire is moving toward the municipality of Gibraleón, which has more than 13,000 inhabitants.
Around 250 Plan Infoca personnel and 13 fire engines have been deployed to fight the blaze. At dawn, aerial units began joining the efforts to reinforce control over the situation. Regional authorities note that strong northwesterly winds with gusts up to 40 km/h and dry vegetation are complicating containment, causing the flames to spread rapidly—up to 100 hectares per hour. In the first few hours, about 600 hectares burned, and overnight the affected area more than tripled.
Particular attention is being paid to the left flank of the fire, which has already crossed the Odiel River. Authorities fear that a change in wind direction after midday could increase the risk to new areas, especially those with eucalyptus forests. This type of vegetation slows the fire's progression, but increases its intensity, making firefighting efforts more difficult.
In San Bartolomé de la Torre, where residents were evacuated, the night passed without incident: people have been accommodated in the municipal sports hall, and according to emergency services, their lives and homes are not at risk. Traffic on the A-495 highway remains closed. The regional authorities maintain the state of emergency, and 112 services recommend that residents keep windows and doors closed, use masks, and take special care of children, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses.
Politically, the situation has sparked criticism from the opposition: representatives of the PSOE are demanding that the Andalusian government increase resources to fight the fire and are expressing support for evacuees and firefighters. According to local media, despite the deployment of more than 20 aircraft, strong winds and heavy smoke are hindering firefighting efforts. The main task for the morning is to prevent the fire from spreading further toward densely populated areas.
For reference: the province of Huelva regularly faces forest fires during the summer due to its dry climate and the prevalence of pine and eucalyptus forests. In recent years, authorities have stepped up preventive measures, but extreme weather conditions and dense development of rural areas continue to pose risks to local residents and infrastructure.
