MADRID, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- The villages of Navalosa and Hoyacasero, located in the Sierra de Gredos mountains to the northwest of Spanish capital Madrid, have had to be evacuated as a result of a wildfire started Saturday.
The fire has destroyed around 500 hectares and is being spread by hot dry winds in the region, Spanish Civil Protection Agency said Sunday.
Around 100 firefighters were combatting the flames on Sunday afternoon, while the Spanish Military Emergency Response Unit has also been directed to the area.
A combination of 12 aircraft and helicopters are also being used to fight the fires, and health services have opened up an emergency center at the main hospital in the nearby city of Avila.
This is the second big wildfire in the region off Avila after over 500 hectares were destroyed close to San Martin de Pimpollar at the start of August.
