Massive wildfire erupts near Marbella as hundreds face evacuation with flames bearing down on homes & firefighters hurt

A MASSIVE wildfire is burning across the hills and bearing down on homes in Spain’s popular Malaga province near Marbella. Hundreds of people face being evacuated as the inferno rages – burning across the landscape at a rate of 30 metres per minute. Footage show the huge plume of smoke visible from Marbella Twitter/@Plan_INFOCAFirefighters shared aerial footage of the enormous blaze[/caption] Flames were seen licking over hilltops as the fire spread in the winds Twitter/@Plan_INFOCAThe fire is burning at a rate of 30 metres per minute as firefighters try to battle the blaze[/caption] Dozens of people – including expats – have already been evacuated from communities in the hills in Pujerra and Benahavis. At least three firefighters have been hurt in the operation to battle the blaze, including one who suffered 25 per cent all over body burns. Pictures from nearby Marbella – one of the most famous resorts in the Costa Del Sol – show the nearby hills ablaze with flames. Some 140 firefighters, six fire trucks, and 17 planes & helicopters have been deployed to battle the inferno. READ MORE ON COSTA DEL SOL COSTA DEL HELL Woman attacked by WILD BOAR on Spanish beach as sunbathers sent fleeing ALL BAR NONE Costa del Sol holiday warning as hundreds of bars face CLOSING this summer But their heroic efforts are being hampered by 25mph winds which are fanning and driving the flames. And the flames currently dominate an area which is only accessible by water dropping helicopters and aircraft. Local authorities have declared an emergency at Level 2 of the Forest Fire Emergency Plan. The Junta de Andalucía also called for the Spanish army’s emergency unit to be deployed to help deal with the crisis. Most read in News ‘ICE-COLD’ Teacher killed & 14 students hurt as driver mows down crowd at 'full throttle' WATERWORLD SCARE Water park visitors evacuated as swimmers feel sick with itchy eyes 'BEAUTIFUL BABY' Devastated family of girl, 12, killed in crash say 'my heart is shattered' TRAIN TRAGEDY 17 killed in train crash as emergency crews pull passengers from wreckage VILE ABUSE Harry and Meghan's son Archie targeted by white supremacists in 'terror podcast' GOING NOWHERE Brits face summer travel hell with airport chaos, rail strikes & soaring fuel Residents in the area are being urged to move to safety – with 60 already having to leave their homes. Dozens more are soon expected to be moved from the Marbella Club Golf Resort, reports The Olive Press. Temporary shelters are being set up to house those forced to leave their homes. Local councillor Scott Marshall said: “It’s awful, everyone is out fighting this fire – but with winds of [25mph] it’s really hard work.” Videos from the scene shared by firefighters show a huge plume of smoke rising above the hills. Recent sweltering weather has seen the area under high alert levels for possible forest fires. Barbeques, bonfires and cars are all banned from being used in forested areas amid fears the region is becoming a tinderbox. And the area currently burning was impacted by a huge wildfire last summer – which saw 2,500 homes evacuated from six towns. ReutersPeople walk as they are evacuated from a forest fire that broke out in Pujerra[/caption] ReutersSpanish Civil Guard evacuate an elderly man from his home[/caption] ReutersWaiters move a table from a restaurant’s terrace amid the evacuation[/caption] ReutersPeople walk as they are evacuated from the forest fire[/caption]