The Andalusian forest fire prevention device, Infoca, has declared the fire in Los Gallardos (Almería), which started last Thursday, as stabilized. The President of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma Moreno, reported that the 1,000 people evacuated due to the incident are now authorized to return. Approximately 1,600 people had to leave their homes, with about 600 having already returned by Saturday night.
Moreno, who visited the advanced command post in Turre (Almería), explained that stabilization means the fire is "demarcated and contained, with no danger of flames." He highlighted the positive impact of nighttime weather conditions, including over 90 percent humidity and a notable decrease in wind, combined with the "collective effort of all deployed personnel."
The initial assessment of the fire indicates approximately "7,000 hectares burned" within a perimeter of over 40 kilometers. With the stabilization, the emergency level has been reduced to Level 1, allowing the withdrawal of the Military Emergencies Unit (UME). A contingent of around 90 Infoca personnel and aerial surveillance units will remain on site.
The president congratulated all participants, noting the simultaneous deployment of up to 32 aerial resources and approximately 500 personnel from Infoca, the UME, and the Consorcio de Bomberos almeriense.
Moreno cautioned that a complicated summer lies ahead and that conclusions must be drawn from the incident. He reminded that it is still mid-July, with August, September, and October being particularly dangerous months for forest fires. He emphasized the need for vigilance from institutions and citizens alike, stating that official instructions are "orders" to ensure safety.
He pointed out that Andalucía registers an average of 15 daily forest fire outbreaks, most of which are extinguished in their initial stages. However, adverse weather conditions, particularly wind and terrain, often hinder firefighting efforts. The Los Gallardos fire reportedly broke records for its speed of propagation, making it one of the fastest fires experienced in Andalucía and likely Spain, underscoring the challenges posed by climate change.
