Spain: Firefighters work to control southern wildfire

MADRID — Spanish authorities are fighting a wildfire that began Friday night in southern Spain amid a heat wave.

About 300 firefighters and other emergency crew members worked overnight to extinguish the fire that forced about 15 residents to be evacuated as a precaution, although they later returned safely to their homes.

Local police and firefighters from the southern region of Murcia were unable to determine the blaze's origin, although officials suspect arson.

The flames have affected almost 300 acres of rural land. With the fire apparently under control Friday night, firefighters suspended their efforts because of lack of visibility, and a combination of rising temperatures and gusty winds revived the fire.

It was considered stable yesterday morning, though still not completely under control, according to the fire department.