Junta defends not using ES-Alert in deadly Almería wildfire to avoid confusion

The wildfire in Los Gallardos (Almería) has claimed at least 12 lives, with 23 people still unaccounted for. The Junta de Andalucía has defended its decision not to activate the ES-Alert emergency alert system, arguing it would have caused more harm than good.

Why ES-Alert was not used

According to regional president Juanma Moreno and emergency councillor Antonio Sanz, the decision was purely technical. The fire forced different responses in different areas: some residents needed to evacuate, while others had to shelter in place. A single ES-Alert message, which covers entire mobile phone antenna areas, could not distinguish between these zones. "Mandar un solo mensaje era generar confusión" (sending a single message would cause confusion), Moreno explained Source: elconfidencial. Sanz added that the system would have reached about 6,000 people, including many not in danger, creating "daños irreparables y confusión" Source: infobae.

Alternative communication

Authorities opted for door-to-door warnings by local police, Guardia Civil, and volunteers, particularly in the hard-hit town of Bédar. This approach was considered more reliable, especially as three mobile phone towers had been damaged by the fire, limiting coverage Source: elespanol. "La mejor manera que se debía trasladar a una población tan pequeña era verbalmente," Sanz stated Source: euronewses.

Some ignored warnings

Moreno lamented that some victims did not follow the personal evacuation instructions, which likely contributed to the death toll. "La no atención a esas recomendaciones probablemente ha causado el triste suceso de ese número de fallecidos" Source: abces. The fire, which started near a road, rapidly spread due to strong winds and dry vegetation, burning 3,500 hectares Source: elespanol.