A forest fire in southern Spain has forced the evacuation of 1,000 people and is threatening a national park famous for its biodiversity, authorities said Sunday.

Ray Ryan reports on efforts to plan ahead for the risk of forest fires, which have caused huge damage to Irish woodlands in recent years.

Thousands of people have been evacuated as a serious forest fire spread quickly on Chile's coast and threatened to reach the nearby port cities of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar.

A serious fire is being battled near the border in Co Louth this morning by eight units of the fire service.