Evacuated villagers tell how Spain's forest fire forced them to leave animals

A wildfire burns parts of rural areas in Monte Pino, Spain, March 24, 2023. REUTERS/Lorena Sopena

BARRACAS, Spain (Reuters) -Spain's first major wildfire of the year scorched more than 4,000 hectares (9,900 acres) of forest and forced 1,500 villagers to leave their homes in the Valencia region.

Residents recounted fleeing their houses and leaving animals behind.