Madrid, Aug. 6 -- Authorities evacuated beaches, hotels, and campsites near the southern Spanish resort of Tarifa on Tuesday afternoon after a fast-moving wildfire broke out amid hot and windy conditions.
The fire reportedly started around 3:00 p.m. local time (1300 GMT) in a motorhome at a campsite near Valdevaqueros beach, a place popular with surfers and kite surfers. Fanned by strong winds and dry conditions, the flames quickly spread across the surrounding area.
Live footage on Spanish television showed thick plumes of smoke billowing over the coastline as emergency crews worked to clear sunbathers and tourists from beaches in the fire's path.
Tarifa Mayor Antonio Santos described the situation as unprecedented.
"This is the fa...