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.

CASARES TAKES PART IN EXERCISE TO COMBAT FOREST FIRES THIS SUMMER

Casares has taken part in a simulated forest fire exercise to test the emergency services response to such an event. The exercise was held in Ojen and involved the deployment of specialist firefighting staff and other agencies such as police and ambulance services. Casares Deputy Mayor Pedro Gonzalez attended the exercise involving 112 personnel. The Ayuntamiento has stressed the importance of individuals taking their own precautions to prevent fires this summer. 

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.