The Junta of Andalucía has raised the Infoca Plan to emergency phase due to a forest fire declared in Benahavís, in the province of Málaga. The measure was announced by Antonio Sanz, vice president and minister of the Presidency, Health and Emergencies, who acts as the director of the Forest Fire Emergency Plan.
The activation of this phase took place at 13:41 on Sunday, considering the evolution of the fire affecting the municipality. As a preventive measure, the confinement of the urban centre of Benahavís, as well as the La Coja urbanisation and the scattered areas of the surroundings, has been decreed.
Emergency measures and operations in action
The Andalucía Emergency Agency has issued alert messages to mobile phones in the area, urging the population to close doors and windows if they are near the fire. Those in masonry buildings should remain inside and follow the instructions of emergency services.
Since 12:40, the emergency response service 1-1-2 has received numerous calls reporting the fire near the A-7175 road, which is also visible from Marbella. In response, multiple resources were activated, including the Provincial Infoca Centre, Provincial Consortium Firefighters, Andalucía Emergency Group, and several units of the Police and Civil Guard.
The initial analysis indicates that the fire is spreading rapidly, favoured by the easterly wind and the slopes of the terrain. Currently, emergency teams are working to control both flanks of the fire, paying special attention to the left flank, which could advance towards Monte Mayor, an area with a high fuel load.
Resources deployed for extinction
To combat the fire, 19 aerial resources have been mobilised, including a coordination plane, two heavy amphibious planes, and several helicopters. On the ground, the intervention is led by seven groups of forest firefighters, command teams, and environmental agents, in addition to a Mobile Unit for Meteorology and Transmissions and other specialised teams.
The emergency phase, in its operational situation 1, implies that, although the fire can be managed with the available resources, additional measures are required due to its size and the need for protection for the population.
The Andalucía Emergency Agency calls on the community to take extra precautions and follow the instructions of the operatives, avoiding approaching the affected area to prevent unnecessary risks.
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