Wildfire in Grazalema forces evacuation of hotels and homes

A wildfire in the municipal area of Grazalema (Cádiz) has forced the preventive evacuation of over 60 people from two hotels and several homes, and triggered the activation of emergency phase 1 (moderate severity). Source: ABC; EFE via Infobae

The fire

The blaze started around 13:00–14:00 on July 6 in the Paraje El Alamillo. Source: ABC; EFE via Infobae Firefighting resources deployed by the Plan Infoca include:

• 15 air assets (helicopters and aircraft) Source: El Español
• 71 ground personnel, two fire engines, a medical unit, and a bulldozer Source: La Vanguardia; El Confidencial
• Two roads cut: the A-372 and CA-9123 Source: El Español

The fire is described as "complex" due to wind and topography. Source: El Español The initial evacuation focused on the Hotel El Fuerte, but later expanded to a second hotel and scattered homes. Source: El Confidencial; Infobae

Response and outlook

Andalusia's emergency chief Antonio Sanz said the immediate priority was to secure the population and that the hotel is no longer at immediate risk. Source: El Español Winds are forecast to shift south, potentially complicating efforts. No threat has been reported to the nearby Pinsapar forest area. Source: El Español Authorities urge the public to stay away from the zone. Source: El Confidencial Grazalema previously faced mass evacuations earlier this year due to storms, but the current situation is more contained. Source: ABC