Two more towns have been evacuated and soldiers are being deployed as a wildfire continues to burn on Spain’s Costa del Sol.

The battle is being made more difficult by “complicated terrain and the virulent behaviour of the fire”, officials said.

The blaze – in a mountainous area above the resort of Estepona, popular with British tourists – has killed one emergency worker since it started on Wednesday.

Fanned by strong winds and high late-summer temperatures, it appears to have been started deliberately, regional environment chief Carmen Crespo said.

The Military Emergency Unit will help firefighters in the Sierra Bermeja area, said Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

“We will work in coordination and without rest in the face of the fire that is devastating the province of Malaga,” he tweeted.

Andalusia’s regional forest fire agency said 365 firefighters, supported by 41 aircraft and 25 vehicles, were trying to bring the fire under control.

Spain: Teenager, 19, sues health trust for £2.5m after DNA test reveals she was swapped at birth

Spain: Intense flooding sees cars swept into Mediterranean Sea and buildings filled with mud in Alcanar

Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch: Police release video of Irish fugitive’s arrest in Spain over 2016 Dublin shooting

“Ground firefighters are working intensively in harsh conditions trying to stop the advancing flames,” it added.

The towns of Jubrique, which has a population of about 500, and Genalguacil, with around 400 residents, have undergone what is described as a “preventative evacuation”.

Residents were already being confined to their homes because of low-lying smoke.

They will be staying at a sports centre in the nearby town of Ronda.

“The evacuation is taking place with maximum security measures and before a possible unfavourable evolution of the fire in that area,” Andalusia’s government said.

Related posts:

At least 36 killed and dozens injured after train derails in Taiwan Kenya warns of COVID ‘vaccine apartheid’ after UK travel ban G7 nations hit out at Russia and China – but fail to establish actions against them ‘Out-of-control’ Chinese rocket set to crash back to Earth at unknown location in hours Skateboarding to breakdancing: The urban sports making the Olympics young again Nigeria seizes record £38m in pangolin parts and elephant tusks West’s united front over Russia’s military build-up on Ukrainian border ahead of Biden call with Putin Canada forced to use emergency reserve amid maple syrup shortage Suspect linked to killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi arrested in France Pfizer vaccine may be up to 40 times less effective against Omicron, first lab tests in South Africa suggest Australian authorities investigating Djokovic’s declaration form required to enter country UN seeks record $5bn in aid for Afghanistan to prevent ‘suffering’