Fire breaks out in Doñana nature reserve; arson not ruled out

Around 100 forest firefighters worked to contain a fire that broke out on Sunday in Spain's Doñana nature reserve, one of Europe's most ecologically significant protected areas, El País reported.

The blaze, which ignited within the boundaries of the UNESCO-listed reserve in the southwestern region of Andalusia, spread rapidly before crews were able to halt its advance. The flames eventually stopped spreading and were confined to a corridor between the coastal dunes, the beach and the marshland — a landscape that forms the ecological heart of the park.

The Junta de Andalucía, the regional government body responsible for managing the reserve, said it had not ruled out that the fire was deliberately started, raising the prospect of a criminal investigation.

Doñana is home to a range of endangered species and serves as a critical wintering ground for migratory birds. Any fire within its boundaries is considered a serious threat to its fragile ecosystems. Authorities did not immediately provide details on the total area burned.