Spanish authorities have sent nearly 1,000 firefighters, troops and support crews to fight a wildfire in the south of the country that has evacuated about 2,000 people over fears that hot weather could intensify the blaze, AP reported.

The Spanish weather service AEMET said the country could be on the verge of a heat wave. Temperatures are predicted to exceed 30 degrees Celsius and rise over the weekend.

According to the regional fire department Infoca and the regional government of Andalusia, crews tried to take advantage of cooler temperatures and wetter conditions overnight as the flames subsided. Seven helicopters to drop water and a coordinator plane were on standby.

Authorities said the Spanish military emergency unit, tasked with assisting civilian forces in case of serious incidents, deployed 233 troops and more than 80 vehicles to the area.

Officials said people were evacuated as a precaution late Wednesday night from five different locations throughout the province of Malaga.

The fire injured three firefighters after it erupted amid gusty winds; one suffered burns to 25 percent of his body.