Granada wildfire triggers confinement and evacuations

A wildfire in Pinos del Valle (Granada) has escalated rapidly, prompting the Junta de Andalucía to activate emergency level 1 and order the confinement of residents via the Es-Alert system. The fire, which started near the Béznar reservoir on Saturday afternoon, has mobilized extensive aerial and ground resources.

What happened

The blaze was reported around 12:30 p.m. on 25 July in the municipality of El Valle. Within an hour, the Junta declared a phase of emergency, situation operativa 1, and sent an Es-Alert message instructing residents of Pinos del Valle to confine themselves in their homes, close windows and doors, and use wet towels to block smoke Source: ABC.es. The vice-president, Antonio Sanz, urged people to avoid the area and let emergency services work Source: Infobae.

Evacuations and response

• 100 people evacuated from a nearby camp, 73 of them minors Source: La Vanguardia.
• Two people rescued from a nearby farmhouse; no injuries reported Source: La Vanguardia.
• The Infoca firefighting service deployed 54 ground personnel, 3 fire engines, 6 helicopters, and 7 airplanes Source: ABC.es.

Additional context

A separate fire in Cerro Muriano (Córdoba) is evolving favorably after a 'surgical' overnight operation, but the alert level remains at 1 and 274 residents remain evacuated .