More than half of forest fires are arson, says WWF

Battling the flames

SPAIN In a recent report the Spanish branch of WWF says that 55% of the forest fires from 2001 to 2010 were intentional, but only 1.5% of the arsonists were identified. That 1.5% increases to 9% if the human factor is taken into account, with intentionality or otherwise. The environmental organization wants the Criminal Code applied to its full extent, in the belief that this would have a dissuasive effect, according to the head of WWF Spain, Juan Carlos del Olmo. The report, sponsored by the AXA Foundation and titled Forests: vulnerable to large fires, says that part of the problem is bad forestry management and lack of prevention, not the forests themselves. Del Olmo pointed out that 87% of the forest area in the country have no management planning at all.>>>

Fire near Seghers in Estepona

ESTEPONA Our good Antonio J. Sierra (who used to be the tech behind Alberto's English-speaking radio programme in Jimena years ago) was evacuated from his home in the Seghers section of Estepona because of a fire nearby yesterday. As he said, "This is the first time ever I've been evacuated." Being the good journalist that he is, he wrote about it extensively (in Spanish, natch, and sent it to TioJimeno, from whence here) and took the photo above. Oh, and he ended his report sometime in the evening with, "The bomberos are refreshing the area at this time."

Tesorillo fire under control in short order, no evacuation necessary

(Photo: europasur.es)

JIMENA/San Martín del Tesorillo A fire that broke out close to the village yesterday evening was under control in a couple of hours. At about a quarter to five in the afternoon, flames and smoke were reported approximately at the border between the municipality of Casares (prov. of Málaga) and San Martín del Tesorillo (Cádiz). The wind propelled the flames towards the latter, but members of the INFOCA prevention organization were quick to arrive and put it out. As a precaution, though, the local firefighters began evacuation procedures that were not carried out because the fire was under control about an hour later with the help of a helicopter. Several local residents, however, did choose to leave their homes in the area of their own accord.

Mijas mountain fire fanned by wind, at least 200 people evacuated

(Photo: diariosur.es)

COSTA DEL SOL / Mijas (Agencies) Fire broke out on the Serranía de Mijas last night at about 8.30pm. Once again, and again at night. The strong Levante (Easterly) wind fanned the flames, spreading the fire along the mountain range. Some 200 people had to be evacuated from their homes outside the town itself, including a drug rehab centre, all of whom were taken to Las Lagunas sports centre, where they spent the night. Two large urbanizations, La Mairena and La Buganvilla, on the borders of  Mijas, Marbella and Ojén were also evacuated.>>>

Sierra Carbonera fire under control

(Photo: Europa Sur)

SAN ROQUE/LA LINEA (Agencies) The fire that broke out on Wednesday night and forced the evacuation of several hundred residents of the area, burning over 200 hectares of brush, was under control by 9 this morning, say the firemen. They are hard at work trying to find the cause of the fire, but there are clear indications that it was set deliberately. They are also trying to establish the possibility of a link to Sunday's fire nearby. The area has had 11 major fires in 15 years, say some accounts.

Fire on Sierra Carbonera, near Santa Margarita, 'also deliberate'

(Photo:lalineadigital.es)

LA LINEA (Agencies) This time it was on Sierra Carbonera (as predicted by an onlooker at last week's nearby at La Alcaidesa) and it was still active at midday today. This one broke out yesterday, Wednesday, at 11.30pm, and forced the evacuation of the Vistahermosa residential complex, which is within Santa Margarita. It is widely believed to have been set deliberately, which is unconfirmed by the firemen as yet. Residents began moving out of their own accord during the night, but were told at 9.30am that they could return. The main road, A-383 had to be closed to all traffic this morning because of visibility problems, but was opened again shortly after noon. We received a call at about 7.30pm, from a friend in the vicinity, who tells us she believes the fire is now under control although she could see there were still plenty of bomberos about, as well as Guardia Civil vehicles. Let's hope it doesn't start up again overnight.

Bush fire burns 20 hectares at La Alcaidesa

(Photo: Europa Sur)

SAN ROQUE (Agencies) A bush fire broke out on the hills in the La Alcaidesa and Sierra del Arca at about 15.14 yesterday, when the Infoca (fire prevention organization) received a call to alert them of smoke in the area. It was finally put out at about 8.30 in the evening, needing five helicopters and three airplanes to do so. The firefighters concentrated on not allowing the flames to spread towards El Albarracín, the main road, the San Roque Club and on towards Sotogrande. As it is, a campsite in the immediate area had to be evacuated. Aside from the aircraft, the fire needed 70 firefighters, seven retenes (units of various numbers spread out for emergencies), three pump trucks containing some 4,000 litres, one 'mother tank' with capacity for another 11,000 litres. The Guardia Civil decided to evacuate the La Casita campsite as a prevention, principally because of the smoke that reached the place, but no damage was registered there other than that.

Gibraltar fuel tank explosions: two seriously injured, 12 tourists, less so

(Photo: Europa Sur/Paco Guerrero)

GIBRALTAR (Agencies) As we write flames are devouring a second fuel tank right next to the first one that went up in flames at about 3pm today, Tuesday. The cruise ship port area was evacuated after the first explosion to prevent further injuries. Two Spanish workers were airlifted to Sevilla ospital burn units, and 12 tourists were injured less seriously. According to an RGP report, attempts at cooling down the first conflagration failed, leading to the second tank catching fire. Both tanks are totally destroyed. A Government report says that the tanks contained a mixture of water and used fuel. One of the two injured men is in serious danger of losing his life, the other is sertiously injured but out of danger, and 12 cruise ship tourists were less seriously injured. Landside fire brigades have left the area and the fight to control the fires is being carried from the sea.

Fire breaks out in Barcelona's Sagrada Familia

BARCELONA (Agencies) A fire broke out earlier this morning in the crypt of the central nave of Gaudí's famous unfinished church in Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia, promoted to a Basilica by Pope Benedict on his last visit. Latest reports say that a 'mentally disturbed' man is the alleged author of the incident, which had a large number of people evacuated from the spot - a major tourist attraction. Firefighters were still working to put the fire out at  noon today, but, according to the head of the Patronato (management committee) 'it is easily controlled.' UPDATE (12:51): The fire is completely under control and the suspect is under arrest.

Woman rescued trying to rescue her dog

ALGECIRAS (Agencies/Photo: illustration only) A fireman rescued a woman who had got stuck on a rooftop while trying to rescue her dog, which had fallen from a fourth floor onto a parapet on the first. The 18 year old realized her dog had fallen from the balcony of her flat in the El Saladillo area and tried to reach it by climbing onto a neighbour's window ledge but got stuck on a corrugated metal roofing and could move neither forward nor back. She was rescued by a fireman with a ladder in an operation that took over 20 minutes. The girl was uninjured but the dog was hurt, though not too badly.