300 Under Curfew as Wildfires Burn Nearly 40 Square Kilometers in Spain

Wildfires raging in Spain's Extremadura region, near the Portuguese border, have consumed nearly 40 square kilometers of land. The fires have forced 300 residents of the town of Nuñomoral into a curfew due to heavy smoke, while other communities have been ordered to evacuate their homes as the flames approach.

Efforts to combat the blazes were bolstered Wednesday evening as winds subsided in the affected areas, providing a glimmer of hope for firefighters. The largest fires are concentrated in the Horcajo, Cerezal, and Nuñomoral areas within Extremadura.

In Asegur, 79 residents who had previously evacuated were allowed to return home. However, not all evacuated residents have been able to return. Reports of houses burning in Cerezal and fears that the fire might reach the town center have been officially denied. Authorities confirmed that only three occupied houses in Avellanar and three unoccupied structures sustained damage.

Approximately 170 individuals, including over 100 firefighters and about 70 soldiers, battled the fires throughout the night. The weather forecast for Thursday is considered favorable for firefighting operations, including aerial support, further aiding the containment efforts.