Fire in Niebla (Huelva): 20,000 hectares affected

Wildfire in Niebla (Huelva): Over 20,000 hectares affected

The wildfire in Niebla, Huelva, has now affected over 20,000 hectares and is "beyond the capacity for extinguishment." According to Antonio Sanz, First Vice-President and Minister of the Presidency, Health, and Emergencies, the fire is "beyond the capacity for extinguishment," not due to a lack of resources, but because of the "extraordinary complexity" and "dangerousness" of the fire's behaviour.

The fire, which began last Thursday, has prompted the preventive evacuation of El Madroño and Las Delgadas. More than 600 personnel and 26 aerial units are working to contain the spread of the flames, while 479 people remain evacuated.

Meteorological conditions have worsened dramatically since early morning, exceeding initial forecasts. The combination of strong south-westerly winds, the complex topography of ravines, and the premature appearance of convective phenomena generating large pyrocumulus clouds is causing secondary outbreaks to jump several kilometres in all directions. This situation invalidates attack strategies and drastically reduces the effectiveness of aerial units, as the intensity of heat and turbulence evaporate water before it reaches the ground.

The absolute priority remains ensuring the safety of the population and those involved in firefighting efforts. "Preventive evacuation decisions will continue to be taken as necessary," Sanz emphasised, focusing on maintaining and evaluating potential new measures in the north and north-east towards municipalities such as El Berrocal, Marigenta, and El Pozuelo.

The acting delegate of the Government in Andalusia, Francisco Toscano, warned of the "enormous complexity" and "dangerous" nature of the forest fire affecting the area. He also highlighted that the Spanish government will maintain "maximum institutional loyalty" and unity with the involved administrations to achieve the extinguishment of the fire, whose efforts are complicated by "unfavourable" weather conditions.

In response to the fire's advance towards the north-east, more than 600 personnel, 12 heavy machinery units (bulldozers), and up to 26 aerial units are working "intensively" on the ground. The primary focus of operations is currently on confining the northern flank and the head of the fire by consolidating a control line stretching from El Pozuelo to Marigenta and the municipality of Berrocal.

To prevent the fire from reaching this last locality, the operation deploys a combined action of machinery, ground-based firebreaks, and retardant drops by cargo planes. In parallel, firefighting forces maintain a second contingency line along the road from Aznalcóllar to Berrocal to halt any possible flare-ups that might surpass the first containment perimeter.

The evolution of the fire keeps the possibility open for further evacuations. The flames will continue to spread, and it will take days of intense work. "Every fire, after several days, presents some meteorological opportunity. This one hasn't presented any," Sanz noted. The definitive assessment of the fire's footprint "will not be known precisely until the Copernicus satellite system provides the actual map of the burned areas."

In summary, the wildfire in Niebla remains a significant challenge, with over 20,000 hectares affected and beyond the capacity for extinguishment. Authorities continue to work intensively to contain the spread of the flames and ensure the safety of the population and those involved in firefighting efforts. The situation is complex and dangerous, with the possibility of new evacuations and the need to wait for the Copernicus satellite system to provide the actual map of the burned areas.

Piece prepared by the newsroom from cross-checked sources in several countries.