A wildfire in Guadalajara province has scorched more than 12,000 hectares and remains at the highest operational alert level, authorities said on Saturday, after a deadly fire season swept southern Europe earlier this month. The blaze, which began Thursday near La Mierla in Castilla-La Mancha, has forced the evacuation of 16 municipalities and displaced about 700 residents, while the village of Hiendelaencina was placed under confinement. More than 200 firefighters and 32 units are battling the flames, which have entered the Sierra Norte natural park.
Separately, a fire near Orés in Zaragoza province has burned roughly 15,800 hectares but did not expand on Friday and could be contained Saturday, officials said. Five municipalities were evacuated and others placed on pre-evacuation notice. In Andalusia, a fire near Laujar de Andarax flared Saturday, while an agricultural blaze in Granada forced the evacuation of around 50 homes.