The Emergency Plan for Forest Fire Risk (Plan Infoca) has lowered the alert from level 1 to level 0 (pre-emergency) following the stabilization of the fire in the Despeñaperros Natural Park. The decision was made after a meeting of the Operations Committee at the Advanced Command Post (PMA).
Extinguishing efforts focused on consolidating and securing the fire's perimeter, which affected approximately 160 hectares. During the night, the head of the fire was contained thanks to the coordinated action of heavy machinery and ground personnel.
As a result of the stabilization, the return of the 190 people who were preventively evacuated has been authorized: about 40 from the hamlet of Miranda del Rey and around 150 from a nearby school farm. The evacuees stayed in rural establishments in the area, with the Red Cross ensuring their basic needs were met.
During the emergency, residents of Santa Elena were advised to keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke from entering homes and to protect vulnerable individuals. The roads JA-7100 (between Miranda del Rey and La Aliseda) remains closed, while the JA-7102 has been reopened.
The acting Minister of Health, Presidency, and Emergencies, Antonio Sanz, thanked the public's cooperation and the efforts of all operational teams, emphasizing the importance of following emergency service instructions.
Numerous aerial and ground resources were involved in the extinguishing efforts, including helicopters, water trucks, forest firefighter groups, operations technicians, and heavy machinery. Resources from Castilla La Mancha also collaborated.
