International • Created June 26, 2017 02:00

SPAIN: 1,500 evacuated as fire hits famed national park

A forest fire in southern Spain threatening a national park famous for its biodiversity has forced the evacuation of at least 1,500 people, according to local authorities. The flames advanced eastward on Sunday and entered Donana National Park, one of Spain’s most important nature reserves, a tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage site since […]

SPAIN: 1,500 evacuated as fire hits famed national park
SPAIN: 1,500 evacuated as fire hits famed national park

A forest fire in southern Spain threatening a national park famous for its biodiversity has forced the evacuation of at least 1,500 people, according to local authorities.

The flames advanced eastward on Sunday and entered Donana National Park, one of Spain’s most important nature reserves, a tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994.

The park, which has over 50,000 hectares of wetlands and woods, is an important stop for migratory birds from Africa and Europe. It is home to a variety of animals, including the highly endangered Iberian lynx and the Iberian imperial eagle.

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