The devastating forest fire affecting the municipalities of Los Gallardos and Bédar in Almería has resulted in a tragic toll of eleven fatalities and eight injuries, marking it as one of the most severe recent incidents in the province. The Minister of Presidency, Health, and Emergencies, Antonio Sanz, described the event as the fire "with the greatest consequences to date".
In this context, the Southeast Meteorological Association (AMETSE) has analyzed crucial data from its stations. The Bédar/El Pinar station detected a sudden and drastic temperature increase of 5 ºC, coinciding with the flames' approach. This data, described as "real-time information" by Ginés Mirón, AMETSE spokesperson, suggests that "the tongue of fire was located near the dwelling where the station is situated."
AMETSE reported on social media the "sudden rise in temperature due to the proximity of the fire" and expressed its dismay over the victims trapped by the flames in Los Gallardos. Preliminary investigations point to the fall of an electrical line as the potential origin of the fire, which advanced rapidly through extremely dry terrain, exacerbated by the thermal conditions of the area.
The Bédar station's records indicate that around 9:00 PM, the temperature rose from 32.1 ºC to 37.2 ºC within minutes, accompanied by a slight decrease in humidity. Subsequently, thermal values dropped, "possibly due to the arrival of firefighting services," according to the expert.
AMETSE's network of stations is vital for analyzing extreme episodes. The Los Gallardos station also registered a temperature increase, albeit less pronounced. Daily highs approached 40 ºC, with relative humidity at 15% and wind gusts around 30-35 km/h, values close to the "rule of 30" (temperatures >30 ºC, humidity <30%, winds >30 km/h), an indicator of high fire propagation risk.
Recent climatic conditions have been decisive. Despite usual winter rainfall, the lack of rain in the last two months has left vegetation dry. "Several days with highs above 40 ºC, with humidity extremely low," explain AMETSE, have created "all the conditions" for events like this fire to occur.
