The heat wave and wind have fueled a new wave of forest fires. in several parts of the country, with a particular impact in the northwest of the peninsula and in the center. The regional administrations and the State maintain rugged devices and different emergency levels have been activated depending on the danger of each front.
The stage is dynamic, with simultaneous intervention in several communities and interregional support. In addition, Spain has received two Canadair type seaplanes from France within the European aid mechanism. According to the European Fire Information System (EFFIS), the area burned in the country so far this year is around 98.784 hectares, a figure that far exceeds that of the previous year.
Overview and active hotspots
The fires remain active or in varying degrees of control. In Castile and León, Galicia, Asturias, Madrid, Extremadura, Andalusia and the Valencian Community. In Castile and León, the fire of Molezuelas of Carballeda (Zamora) has left another fatal victim (37 years old) and has affected dozens of localities, with thousands of people evacuated and large perimeters without flames but still hot. In León, fronts such as Yeres, Llamas de la Cabrera and Anllares del Sil.
In asturias, Genestoso (Cangas del Narcea) is still active, with heavy machinery consolidating perimeters On the Leonese side, and in Caso (Bezanes), the operation of aerial means is expected as conditions allow. Andalucía keeps the fire stabilized Tarifa (Cadiz), which forced evictions in beach and hotel areas, and work continues to close the perimeter from the Aroche fire (Huelva).
In the Valencian Community, the fire of Teresa of Cofrentes activated emergency level 2 and forced the temporary cessation of the go-slow strike of the firefighters of the Provincial Consortium, while in the Community of Madrid the fires of Tres Cantos y Torrelodones They are controlled after calcining, in the first case, more than 1.500 hectares and affecting several homes, with one person dead and the investigation already underway.
Extraordinary measures, evacuations and cuts
Before him extreme and very high risk of spread, Castilla-La Mancha has approved a resolution that prohibits the use of agricultural machinery and other activities likely to generate sparks or explosions between 00:00 on Monday 18th and 23:59 on Tuesday 19th in designated areas. The restriction includes the Harvesting and packing on farms near the mountains, perimeter strips linked to harvesting work, the use of Firearms, smokers, and beekeeping tools and any equipment that can cause electric shockThe region, in a relatively more stable situation, has also displaced air resources, heavy machinery and 33 Infocam personnel to support other communities.
In Extremadura, the fire of Jarilla (Cáceres) forced to cut the A-66 between km 446 and 471 already send ES-Alert alerts to mobile units for preventive lockdowns in nearby municipalities such as Oliva de Plasencia. Evacuations continue in Jarilla, Villar de Plasencia and Cabezabellosa, and 19 residents who remained in the area despite orders were rescued. The region has declared the operational situation 2 of its special plan in the event of simultaneous fires.
The road network has been affected at various points, with partial or total cuts due to nearby fronts or firefighting efforts. These include:
- ZA-102 between Villanueva de la Sierra and Barjacoba (Zamora).
- N-621 between Portilla de la Reina and Llanaves de la Reina (León).
- CL-505 and AV-500 in sections close to the capital (Ávila) and complete closure of the SG-500 in Villacastín (Segovia).
- Previous interruptions in the N-525 between Puebla de Sanabria and A Canda (Ourense), depending on the advance of the fronts.
In the Community of Madrid, the fire of Tres Cantos happened to Operating Situation Zero and a cooling and surveillance device with several crews is maintained for days. the operation has been de-escalated (withdrawal of UME and other resources) after a night of good progress, while the Forest Agents, together with the Civil Guard and SEPRONA, continue with the investigation. In Torrelodones, the front was controlled and the evicted neighbors returned to their homes.
Galicia in focus: major fires in Ourense and provincial assessment
Ourense maintains Situation 2 activated throughout the province due to the magnitude and simultaneity of the fronts, with extension of hours of the staff, streamlining of resources and support of the EMUThe fires of Chandrexa de Queixa (Requeixo and Parafita) y Vilariño de Conso (Mormentelos) have ended up joining together in a large active perimeter with provisional estimates around 17.000 hectares and conditions in Manzaneda, Montederramo, A Pobra de Trives, O Bolo and Laza.
Another relevant front is Oímbra-A Granxa, With a 11.000 hectares affected and reaching Monterrei, Cualedro, Verín and Laza; as well as The Mosque-The Esculqueira, With a 9.000 hectares in Galicia and continuing towards Zamora, with the collaboration of Portuguese media. They add up Larouco-Seadur (approx. 4.000 ha), maceda (Santiso and Castro de Escuadro, approx. 3.000 ha), and several outbreaks in Vilardevós (Vilar de Cervos, Moialde, Fumaces-A Trepa) with different surfaces, in addition to Oak tree of Avia (Vilar de Condes, around 1.000 ha) and Xinzo de Limia-Gudín (about 150 ha).
En Pontevedra, it remains stabilized the fire of Dozón-O Castro and preventive Situation 2 was deactivated; in A Coruna, are stabilized Muxía-Our Lady of O (23 ha) and Toques-San Martiño de Oleiros (around 300 ha), with a large deployment of brigades, motor pumps and air support. In Lugo, are still active O Saviñao-Chave y Cervantes-Vilarello, and To Fonsagrada-Monteseiro remains under control after days of work on a wide perimeter.
The General Directorate of Emergencies and Interior has issued ES-Alert messages by municipalities of Ourense and surrounding areas for self-protection measures (lockdowns and specific evacuations). Numerous brigades, agents, motor pumps, shovels and aircraft, with inter-administrative coordination and flexible activation of resources depending on the progress of the fronts.
Public Health and Prevention: How to Protect Yourself from Smoke and What Experts Demand
The Xunta de Galicia reminds that the smoke from the fires contains a mixture of gases and Fine particles (PM2,5 and PM10) that irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, and can cause chest pain or difficulty breathing. It is recommended stay indoors, limit outdoor physical activity and, if necessary, use FFP2 mask and protect your eyes to reduce exposure.
At home, it is advisable keep doors and windows closed, put the recirculating air conditioning (if you have an outside air inlet, close it) and, when possible, use portable air purifiersIt is prudent to avoid elements that can worsen indoor air quality, such as candles or smoking. To clean ashes, use mask, gloves and clothing that covers the skin and wash exposed areas promptly if contact occurs.
Environmental organizations emphasize that, in addition to responding to the emergency, it is essential strengthen prevention in High Fire Risk Zones (HFR) and follow the annual planning prevention and emergency. It is proposed to promote a State Royal Decree that unifies criteria in prevention, surveillance and extinction, guaranteeing adequate resources throughout the territory.
Historical data shows that although the total number of fires and the area affected have decreased compared to critical years, large fires (GIF > 500 ha) represent a significant part of the damage. Despite this, the operatives manage to get the 69% of fires remain in their infancy (less than 1 ha). As for the causes, many are related to negligence and accidents, followed by intentionality, so it is essential take extreme precautions in rural and forestry work.
While some fronts continue to stabilize, there are still hot zones and variable weatherThe work of the firefighting teams remains essential, maintaining extreme caution, observing evacuations and lockdowns, and heeding official warnings while the affected areas are consolidated.