World

Photo: The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

A wildfire fanned by strong winds devoured hillsides around the wealthy Mediterranean resort city of Marbella in Spain on Friday. At least one person died, two sustained burns and more than 4,000 others were forced to evacuate their homes. (AP Photo/Sergio Torres)

Officials say a large wildfire is burning in a forest in central Spain, the third time this summer a blaze has broken out in the area.

Lorenzo Martin, the mayor of El Real de San Vicente, said Sunday that "very large flames" were spotted Saturday evening rising from hillsides 3 kilometres from the centre of the town, which is located 120 kilometres west of Madrid.

Martin said residents were exasperated at seeing so many fires break out in their vicinity in such a short period of time.

The regional government of southern Andalucia said a fire that has been raging around the luxury seaside resort of Marbella is under control with firefighters dousing smouldering hot spots.