Wildfire rages in northeastern Spain, scorching 2,300 hectares of land

MADRID, July 4 (Xinhua) -- A large wildfire broke out Friday evening in Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia, remaining out of control with approximately 2,300 hectares of land burned.

Nearly 10,000 residents in multiple municipalities in Girona province have been evacuated or ordered to shelter in place due to the blaze, and several roads have been temporarily closed. All residents have been reported safe.

Strong winds have hampered firefighting efforts and triggered secondary blazes, causing the fire to spread rapidly and reach a nearby nature reserve. Local fire services have deployed more than 400 firefighters, along with multiple helicopters and firefighting aircraft. Spain's Military Emergency Unit has sent 200 soldiers and 60 vehicles to reinforce the response.

Ferran Garcia, head of firefighting operations in the Girona region, said the fire may have grown beyond firefighters' capacity to extinguish, adding that their priority is to contain the blaze as much as possible and minimize damage.

Citing local police, Spanish media reported that a worker has been detained on suspicion of arson. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been sparked by machinery used during roadwork. The case remains under investigation. Enditem