The first vice-president of the Regional Government and Minister of Presidency, Health, and Emergencies, Antonio Sanz, announced the deactivation of the emergency phase of the Infoca Plan, downgrading the operational situation to pre-emergency. The Extinction Directorate confirmed the stabilization of the fire at 2:00 PM.
"We have good news. At two in the afternoon, the forest fire in Las Tres Villas, in Almería, was declared stabilized after almost 22 hours active," stated Sanz. He added that, with this favorable evolution, all protection measures for the 17 affected residents are being lifted, returning to normality.
Yesterday, eight people were confined in Gilma and Los Sanchos, while another nine were preventively moved away from settlements such as Los Gatos, Piedras Blancas, La Estación, and Los García. These individuals stayed in their homes or with family and friends, without the need to set up shelters.
The road connecting Las Piletas with Gilma and Los Sanchos has been reopened to traffic. Railway circulation between Abla-Abrucena and Doña María-Ocaña was restored early this morning.
A fire is considered stabilized when, although not yet controlled, it is evolving favorably without active fronts that allow the fire to spread freely. Sanz specified that extinction efforts continue until full control is achieved.
Currently, 84 EMA-INFOCA professionals, five water trucks, a Medical Unit for Forest Fires, and two ground-loading aircraft are still working in Las Tres Villas to consolidate the perimeter, cool hot spots, and monitor for potential flare-ups.
Sanz thanked the public's cooperation and the work of the EMA-INFOCA operational teams, highlighting that on August 24th alone, EMA-Infoca responded to seven incidents across Andalusia, including two forest fires, two incipient fires, and three non-forest fires in locations such as Las Tres Villas, Beas, Gibraleón, Lepe, Almonte, and Utrera.
Given the high risk of fires in Andalusia, the first vice-president urged prudence, asking people to avoid risky behaviors, not to discard cigarette butts, and to exercise extreme caution in natural areas. He requested immediate notification to 1-1-2 upon any sign of smoke or flames, emphasizing that prevention is everyone's responsibility.
