Black smoke and red flames are visible over parts of the holiday destination Malaga on Friday. Spanish authorities are using large resources to overcome the forest fire.
Updated less than 10 minutes ago
This is reported by the Spanish local newspaper Malaga Hoy, which writes that the evacuation order will apply to the town of Alhaurín de la Torre, as well as parts of Alhaurín el Grande.
The Spanish forest fire service INFOCA informs https://twitter.com/Plan_INFOCA/status/1547935136527683584 that more than a hundred fire crews are working to deal with the flames. In addition, a total of 15 different helicopters and aircraft have been sent out.
The fire is currently assessed as at warning level one based on the Spanish contingency plan for forest fires.
VG has been contacted by several Norwegian readers who are in the area. They tell of large clouds of smoke over the mountains at the popular resort of Lauro Golf.
The mayor of Alhaurín de la Torre, Joaquín Villanova, informs Malaga Hoy that the fire may have been started.
Several roads in the area will be closed due to smoke.
Ate up the ridge
Bjørn-Tore Løvtangen was in the pool in Fuengirola when the neighbor on the roof terrace started shouting that it was burning a couple of kilometers up the mountainside. At first they only saw a little smoke and flames, but it spread quickly.
– We could see the fire only ate up the ridge, he says.
There are at least two firefighting turns and several helicopters, according to Løvtangen, who says he has a background in rescue work. The planes and helicopters fly over their house to fetch water down by the sea.
While VG talks to Løvtangen, he makes several minor outbursts while observing the fire.
– Oh, that takes it properly. Now I see open flames, he says just before 4 pm on Friday.
Spreads quickly
Tanja Johnsen is in the area with her 10-year-old daughter.
– We are on the beach, and we were out bathing when we saw something that looked like a small fire. Half an hour later, it had spread all over the hillside there, says Johnsen to VG at 15.30 on Friday.
She estimates she is 5-6 kilometers away. Her apartment is not too far from the fire, but it looks like the fire is going in the other direction. Johnsen thus hopes that the property will not be affected.
In addition to the fire, they are afraid of being hit by the SAS strike.
– I’m just been to the beach. Well, first of all, we do not know if we will get home on Sunday. So with planes, and fire and all that, we have chosen to just try to take it easy, says Johnsen.
– You are safe on the beach right by the water, she says.
Heat wave over Europe
A heat wave is currently sweeping across southern Europe. A total of at least 17 forest fires have been reported across the country, according to Reuters. Forest fires were also reported in France and Portugal on Friday.
More than 1,000 firefighters have been battling the blaze in two different forest fires in southwestern France in recent days. Strong winds have made the rescue work more difficult.
In Portugal it has been over 40 degrees. More than 1,000 fire personnel are working to put out at least 17 forest fires of varying sizes.
The worst drought in over 70 years means that Italy’s longest river, Po, barely flows in some places, according to Reuters.
