After ten days of uninterrupted struggle against the flames, the fire declared on August 6th in the Raboconejo area, in Niebla, has been stabilized. The fire, which initially affected over 38,000 hectares within a 210-kilometer perimeter, has pushed firefighting teams to their limits.
The President of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma Moreno, announced this Sunday from the Advanced Command Post the stabilization of the fire and the proposal for the return of the 417 people who remained preventively evacuated to their homes. This decision allows the resettlement of residents from the eleven affected municipalities, marking a step towards "news of normality" after weeks of uncertainty.
The stabilization occurs after 36 consecutive hours of surveillance without new outbreaks. The Special Civil Protection Plan for Forest Fire Emergencies moves from Level 2 to Level 1, which involves the withdrawal of the Military Emergencies Unit (UME).
Moreno described the fire as "probably one of the most complicated of the last decade" and the most complex faced by Andalusia, calling it a "beast" for its constant aggressiveness.
Despite the stabilization, "caution" is maintained due to the possibility of occasional smoke columns from hot spots within the perimeter, especially with wind. Teams will remain prepared to intervene in case of any recurrence, and final extinction is expected in several weeks.
The affected area might be less than the initially estimated 38,000 hectares, as "islands" of intact vegetation have been found within the perimeter. The final figure will be determined by the European Copernicus satellite system.
The President thanked the coordination between the Government of Spain, the Junta de Andalucía, the Provincial Council of Huelva, and the town councils, as well as the work of firefighters, technicians, mayors, volunteers, and organizations like World Central Kitchen.
