FOREST FIRE ACTION PLAN ISSUED TO OWNERS OF RURAL PROPERTIES

The Ayuntamiento has issued its annual reminder to owners of isolated rural properties to put in place a self protection plan in the event of forest fires. This is a mandatory requirement according to regulations issued by the Department of the Environment. Owners must have plans for escape in the event of a fire. Any owners who have not yet done so can contact the Department of the Environment or the municipal website which contains  a blueprint for drawing up a plan with instructions in English and Spanish. Casares is considered a fire danger zone because of the difficult terrain, the regular strong winds and the surrounding scrubland and woods. Last year self protection plans were completed for Casares Costa and Secadero, but more than half the properties in the Casares area are still without a proper plan.

MAJOR FIRE AT THE RIVER GUADIARO ESTUARY

A major fire this week destroyed two hectares of scrubland at the estuary of the River Guadiaro. The fire broke out near the mouth of the river and engulfed the wooden walkway at the river entrance. A large column of black smoke was visible for many miles and could be seen from many areas of the Campo de Gibraltar. The fire also set off many alarms at homes in Sotogrande. It took almost five hours to bring under control and almost 10,000 litres of water was used to finally quell the blaze.

TWO MAJOR FIRES ARE DEALT WITH BY EMERGENCY SERVICES THIS WEEK

There were tow major fires in the Casares area on Tuesday which caused great alarm and plumes of black smoke which were visible for miles. The first fire broke out on the Manilva river, close to the Hedionda Baths, between the twons of Casares and Manilva. The fire destroyed about 600 square metres of reeds on the riverbank. It was brought under control  in an hour by local police from Casares and Manilva, the Guardia Civil, local firefighters and a helicopter. The second fire which broke out after 5 o’ clock in the afternoon was at the Solid Waste Plant at Los Pedregales and following a 112 emergency call to local police in Casares, all staff were evacuated and the area cordoned off. Three helicopters as well as firefighters from Casares, Manilva and Estepona fought the blaze which proved difficult to control because so many plastic and cardboard bales were on fire.  Police in Casares have advised anyone spotting a fire to immediately call 112.

NEW POLICIES ARE PUT IN PLACE TO PREVENT FOREST FIRES THIS SUMMER

Casares is putting in place its policies to prevent forest fires this summer. As it does every year the ayuntamiento is issuing advice on the necessary measures to keep the risk of fires to a minimum. Given the wide areas of forest and scrubland in the ayuntamiento’s control and the proximity to the Straits of Gibraltar and its levante winds, there is a need for extra vigilance during the summer months. All isolated houses, estates and businesses must have their own self protection plan in place in the event of fire. So far only 260 of the estimated 840 are in place. Free advice is available from all municipal offices.

SUMMER FIRES BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL IN ESTEPONA

Fire services were called out on three occasions this week to deal with summer fires outside Estepona. The first blaze was reported  last Friday in a wooded area and destroyed  25 hectares. The next day fire services were called out again to deal with a fire in the Estepona Golf urbanisation. Twenty houses had to be evacuated because of this blaze. Then on Sunday night a fire broke out in the Arroyo Vaquero area. The blaze was brought under control by Infoca who used two pumps and twenty one people to bring it under control. No one was injured in any of the fires.

And now some news in brief:

Malaga is the fourth busiest province in Spain for organised crime groups, according to the Secretary of State for Secuirty, Francisco Martinez. Figures show that Malaga came fourth for organised criminal activity after Madrid, Barcelona and Cadiz.

FOREST FIRE NEAR ESTEPONA PUT OUT IN TWO HOURS

A forest fire which broke out near Estepona on Tuesday afternoon was brought under control within two hours. The fire broke out in scrubland and pine trees in the Los Altos de Estepona area. It affected about two hectares of land and for a time also threatened  some nearby houses. Firefighters entered one house which was very close to the flames but discovered that it was uninhabited. Two other properties were also surrounded by the fire but they were unaffected by the blaze. The work of the firefighters was helped by the poniente wind which blows from the west. Three helicopters and firetrucks from Estepona and Manilva, as well as the Local Police and National Police helped quell the blaze.