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The blaze in Moguer on Saturday night.
Several roads closed and more than 2,000 people evacuated in Doñana fire

Several roads closed and more than 2,000 people evacuated in Doñana fire

The wildfire in the province of Huelva has been burning since Saturday night with as many as 25 aircraft fighting the blaze

Agencies

Monday, 26 June 2017, 10:28

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A fire that broke out in Moguer in the province of Huelva on Saturday night has forced the vacuation of more than 2,000 people from areas close to the Doñana national park.

Strong and changing winds of up to 60 kph have so far been the main handicap for firefighters battling the blaze that started in the area known as La Peñuela. The cause of the fire is not yet known although firefighters have not ruled out a human factor.

The fire has mainly burned pine trees and temporarily cut off road access to the Matalascañas beach on Sunday, leaving tourists "unable to use their cars and with nowhere to go" until a secondary road was cleared and a Guardia Civil escort provided.

The fire also forced the evacuation of El Acebuche Iberian Lynx breeding centre, during which an adult female, known as Homer, died. It is thought that the stress of being caught and transported to a safer location was what caused the death of the animal.

More than 550 firefighters from Infoca (the forest fire specialist unit) as well as from the Emergency Military Unit (UME) and the Huelva Provincial Fire Consortium, with more than 20 vehicles on the ground and 25 aircraft have been working to control the blaze.

On Monday morning 15 aircraft were still involved in the operation.

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