Raging wildfire in Spain, strong winds make matters worse as thousands evacuated- In pics

Since erupting on Wednesday evening, the blaze has burned through around 3,600 hectares (8,896 acres) of forest in the mountainous Sierra Bermeja above Estepona, a Mediterranean resort favoured by British tourists and retirees.

A spokesperson for the regional fire brigade said authorities were planning to bring in two more planes and a Kamov helicopter to battle the wildfire, bringing the total aircraft deployed up to 69. But the flames were unlikely to be brought under control until Saturday, he said. "We are trying to establish a perimeter around the fire but it`s still active...The conditions of low humidity, strong winds and high temperatures are not favourable to controlling it."

Hundreds of firefighters worked overnight to clear out flammable material and open firebreaks in the forest on the hill range in Malaga province. Arson is suspected. The fire broke out late on Wednesday, but flames were fanned on Thursday and overnight by winds of up to 50 kilometers per hour (30 mph) which shifted direction.

Just over 1,000 people have been evacuated from four communities in Estepona and one in neighbouring Benahavis, and a 44-year old firefighter died on Thursday night.

Regional environment chief Carmen Crespo said the blaze appeared to have been started deliberately and investigators were working to uncover more details.