Spanish forest fire forces evacuation of 100 plus people

Over 120 firemen are working on Monday in order to extinguish a forest fire that has destroyed over 1,000 hectares and caused the evacuation of 122 people after breaking out Sunday in Spain's northeast town of Odena.

The people were evacuated from housing estates close to the fire in the small towns of Montserrat del Bruc and Font del Bosc de Odena and San Salvador de Guardiola and are being looked after in municipal buildings.

Meanwhile, authorities have closed the local C-37 road because of the the flames.

Authorities seem optimistic about making progress in fighting the flames on Monday given the incorporation of a total of 27 aircraft and helicopters to combat the fire, while weather conditions are also more favorable with lower winds and increased humidity in the region.

Forest fires are a constant threat in Spain during the summer months despite constant government awareness campaigns. This is proving to be another difficult summer for firefighters, given a drier than average spring, which has been followed by the hottest July since records began.