The Infoca Plan has deployed 110 ground personnel and 13 aerial units to control the fire declared in the Montemayor urbanisation, which has necessitated the preventive evacuation of homes and the closure of the AP-7.
The forest fire that broke out this Thursday in the area of the Montemayor urbanisation, between Estepona and Benahavís, has mobilised 110 ground personnel and 13 aerial units, according to the Forest Fire Extinction Service (Infoca Plan). The fire, which started at 16:38, has evolved rapidly, prompting the Minister of Presidency, Health and Emergencies, Antonio Sanz, to elevate the Infoca Plan to emergency phase, operational situation 1.
Deployment of aerial and ground resources
The firefighting teams are working tirelessly to control the flames. On the ground, in addition to the 110 personnel, four fire engines and a medical unit have been mobilised. In the air, the operation includes two ground-loading planes, two light amphibious aircraft, and one heavy amphibious aircraft from the Ministry of Ecological Transition, one coordination plane, one light helicopter, three medium helicopters (one from the ministry), two heavy helicopters, and one command helicopter.
The fire, initially located in Estepona, has moved towards Benahavís, where efforts are now concentrated. The weather conditions, with wind and low humidity, complicate the tasks, although Infoca officials are confident that the massive deployment will stabilise the situation in the coming hours.
Evacuations and road closures
The evolution of the fire has necessitated preventive measures. The evacuation of homes in the area of the Botanical Country Club, within the municipality of Benahavís, has been ordered. Residents have been relocated to a safe point established by the Town Hall. Additionally, the AP-7 remains closed in the vicinity of the fire, causing delays on the motorway, a key route for connecting the Costa del Sol.
Antonio Sanz has urged the public not to approach the fire area and to follow the instructions of emergency services at all times. "The priority is to ensure the safety of individuals and prevent the fire from spreading to urban areas," he stated in a message on social media. Residents of nearby urbanisations, such as Montemayor and El Paraíso, have been alerted via loudspeakers and mobile messages.
Local angle: how it affects residents
For residents of Estepona and Benahavís, the fire poses a direct threat. Homes in the Botanical Country Club have been evacuated, and inhabitants of other urbanisations are advised to prepare an emergency backpack with documents and medications. The closure of the AP-7 necessitates the use of alternative routes, such as the coastal road, which is already experiencing heavy traffic. Schools in the area have suspended extracurricular activities, and a reception centre has been set up at the municipal sports centre in Benahavís.
This fire recalls the one that occurred in July 2022 in the same area, which burned 200 hectares. Authorities stress the importance of prevention and urge extreme caution during this high-risk period, with temperatures nearing 40 degrees and accumulated drought turning the forest into a powder keg.
Minister Sanz has thanked the deployed personnel for their efforts and confirmed that restrictions will remain in place until the fire is under control. It is expected that during the night, ground resources will be reinforced to attack the fire from multiple fronts. Meanwhile, residents hope that the wind does not play a trick and that the deployment is sufficient to prevent a greater tragedy.
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