Firefighters battled through the night around Cerezal in western Spain, hacking back vegetation and reinforcing containment lines as the Pinofranqueado wildfire tore through Caceres province.
Footage filmed early on Friday shows crews cutting through brush near Cerezal, while separate shots show flames ripping through forest and thick smoke billowing from the blaze.
More than 270 firefighters, military emergency personnel, police and other responders were deployed at the height of the operation, backed by 26 aircraft and heavy machinery.
The overnight push helped contain key sections of the fire, but crews were still battling repeated flare-ups and hot spots inside the perimeter.
Around 800 people were evacuated as flames threatened communities across the Las Hurdes area. Improving conditions allowed residents of Cerezal, Aceitunilla and Erias to return home on Friday, although those in Cerezal were told to remain inside the settlement.
The wildfire broke out on August 18 in Pinofranqueado and has burned around 4,250 hectares, according to the latest estimate.
Spain has been scorched by an intense wildfire season in 2026. Government figures showed 254,730 hectares had burned by August 17 across 6,685 recorded incidents, including 42 major wildfires covering more than 500 hectares.
Source: Viory
