The landscape of Levante Almeriense is now covered in ash following a devastating forest fire. In response, the municipalities of Bédar, Los Gallardos, Antas, and Lubrín have activated a support network to assist those affected. The Bédar Town Hall launched a special citizen service office starting Monday, July 13th, to guide victims through paperwork and loss claims, aiming to expedite the process and spare them additional administrative burdens.
Technical teams are collecting owner data to have documentation ready for when state aid decrees are approved. Residents who have returned to their properties are already reporting damages to their homes. Meanwhile, criticism has emerged regarding the rigidity of mountain cleaning regulations, which hinder prevention efforts. A local resident, Iván, laments that people from the countryside are not allowed to carry out maintenance work that could have helped contain the fire and facilitate escape routes.
The lack of maintenance on rural paths and access roads complicated firefighting and escape efforts. Iván notes that they were denied permission to clear and repair paths that could have served as evacuation routes. He criticizes the paradox where clearing undergrowth or creating firebreaks can lead to hefty fines, while traditional grazing, practiced by neighbors like himself with their goat herds, has naturally helped halt the fire's advance.
Amidst the material catastrophe and wildlife loss, local hunters from Bédar have organized to distribute food and water at key points in the sierra, aiding surviving animals. The initiative has attracted volunteers from across the province, who patrol to place food and water, especially for vulnerable species like land tortoises. These volunteers know the sierra well and strategically position aid points in areas where animals instinctively seek refuge.
This environmental volunteer work is coordinated with the Bédar Town Hall. Mayor Ángel Collado has praised the collective effort and the bravery of the teams assisting the helpless animals. The council is preparing for official aid from higher administrations by gathering detailed information on the fire's impact within the municipality. Collado has conveyed a message of hope, expressing confidence in the residents' resilient spirit and pledging the Town Hall's full support for the community's recovery.
