Fire in Niebla leaves 467 people displaced
EL RIGOR · 9 de agosto de 2026, 17:41 · 2 min read
Cross-checked in sources from ABC, El País
The fire in Niebla, Huelva, has left 467 people evacuated after spreading across 8,000 hectares. The firefighting operation involves 500 personnel deployed, including staff from Infoca and the Military Emergency Unit (UME).
Changing winds of considerable strength have hampered efforts to control the blaze, multiplying secondary fires and forcing the withdrawal of several firefighters due to the danger posed by some columns of flames. The previous night was particularly challenging, with winds altering the direction of the flames and repeatedly disrupting the firefighting strategy. Some of these secondary fires have jumped up to 3.5 kilometres.
Infoca managed to deactivate the fire that crossed the Tinto River, but the situation has become especially complicated this Saturday, when UME personnel increased to 250 soldiers in total and 100 additional resources. Additionally, 27 aircraft, 94 vehicles in total between personnel transport vehicles and heavy firefighting vehicles, a medical unit for forest fires, and 10 units of heavy machinery were deployed.
The final tally will be determined using the Copernicus satellite observation system in the coming days. According to the councillor for Presidency, Health, and Emergencies, and director of the Andalusian Emergency Plan for Forest Fires (Plan Infoca), Antonio Sanz, "we are reducing the area of intervention." The minister for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, Sara Aagesen, also visited the incident command post.
The flames have disrupted traffic on several roads, with the HU-3106 road remaining closed from the La Peñuela junction to the La Florida junction, and the A-493 road between La Palma del Condado and Valverde del Camino. Furthermore, the HU-4103 and HU-5104 roads have been closed from La Palma del Condado to the junction with El Berrocal.
During the night, an Es-Alert message was sent to preemptively evacuate approximately 340 people from the areas of Berrocal, Marigenta, El Membrillo, and El Pozuelo. These individuals were relocated to the Municipal Theatre Ruiz Tatay in Zalamea la Real.
Regarding firefighting operations, three forest firefighters received assistance, two of whom were hospitalized. Both have since been discharged.
The situation is expected to remain intense and prolonged this Sunday, with 500 personnel deployed and a combined attack involving 26 aerial resources, as well as ground and heavy machinery resources aimed at containing the eastern and northern parts of the fire, the areas currently causing the most concern.
The forecast for the day indicates it will be intense but with more optimism than previous days, according to councillor Antonio Sanz. Humidity levels will be low, and changing winds of considerable strength will continue to complicate efforts to control the fire.
Piece prepared by the newsroom from cross-checked sources in several countries.