The Minister of Emergencies, Antonio Sanz, has described the situation of the Niebla fire as "beyond extinction capacity," highlighting the complexity and danger of the incident. "It is a long race full of obstacles that we have to face with truly complex and dangerous situations," he stated in a press conference.
A change in wind direction has altered the extinction strategy, causing the spread of the fire, which has already covered 20,000 hectares. The flames are expected to continue spreading for days, prioritizing the safety of firefighters and specialists. "We are working to narrow the fire as much as possible so that the energy is lower and we can limit its propagation capacity. But with this behavior, it is a fire beyond extinction capacity. Not due to resources, but due to the reaction of the fire itself," emphasized Sanz.
After a relatively calm night, complications arose between 9:30 and 10 in the morning due to wind gusts and convective phenomena, which generate swirling smoke clouds. These phenomena create secondary outbreaks that endanger the interveners and can cause growth "at an exorbitant speed."
The minister expressed concern because the fire "has not opened any meteorological opportunity" for its extinction, unlike other long-duration fires. The two forecasts for improvement did not materialize, so the fire is expected to continue spreading. The priority is the protection and safety of people.
As a preventive measure, 479 people have been evacuated, and 24 are being attended to at the Zalamea theater. The main objective is to contain the northern flank and the head of the fire in the northeast, working on a control line from El Pozuelo to Marigenta and El Berrocal to prevent it from reaching the latter locality.
The operation involves 26 aerial resources and over 600 personnel. An imminent end is not foreseen, with "hours and days of intense work" expected. The active fire has covered more than 20,000 hectares.
The importance of complying with evacuation instructions is reiterated to avoid catastrophes like the one that occurred in Almería, where 14 lives were lost. Five provincial roads remain closed or with severe restrictions: the HU-3106, the A-493, the HU-5104, the HU-4103, and the HU-6104.
These closures will be maintained "indefinitely" until conditions guarantee safe transit. The definitive assessment of the burned area will be known once the Copernicus satellite system provides the actual mapping.
