Spain extends forest fire alert; Estepona blaze closes A‑7 lane

The Junta de Andalucía has extended the fourth alert for forest‑fire risk for 1‑2 August, citing temperatures of 30‑36 °C, relative humidity as low as 5‑20 % and wind gusts up to 50 km/h. The alert imposes a ban on the use of agricultural and forestry machinery between 12:00 and 20:00 within 400 m of forested areas, and prohibits open fires, barbecues, pyrotechnics and any activity that could generate sparks.

Separately, an active urban forest fire in the Río Padrón area of Estepona (Málaga) was reported at 15:00 on Sunday. The blaze forced the preventive evacuation of about 70 residents, prompted authorities to advise closing doors and windows to avoid smoke, and led the Dirección General de Tráfico to close one lane of the A‑7 highway at kilometre 1066.5. Around 20 firefighters, a light and a medium‑weight helicopter, and fire‑engine units were deployed to contain the fire, which is being coordinated by Infoca in collaboration with the provincial fire consortium.