The largest wildfire of 2021 in Spain was still active, after scorching around 10,000 hectares of brush, woodland and pasture, a government delegate has confirmed. Strong winds and temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius helped the fire spread a further 40 km, leading to the evacuation of around 1,000 people from the municipalities of Solosancho, Sobedillo, Riofrio, Sotalbo and Villaviciosa. The flames are currently being fought by around 500 firemen, including 150 members of the Military Emergency Unit of the Spanish armed forces. The fire began on the same day that a temperature of 47.2 degrees Celsius was recorded in the town of Montoro, in Andalusia. This is the highest temperature ever recorded in Spain, and comes after several days of temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius in much of central and southern Spain.

Source: dna August 17, 2021 07:30 UTC