Benahavis wildfire stabilised after burning more than 300 hectares as residents return home
Residents forced from their homes by the Benahavis wildfire can now return after firefighters brought the major blaze under control […]
Benahavis wildfire stabilised after burning more than 300 hectares as residents return home
A major wildfire in Benahavis, Spain, has been brought under control after burning over 300 hectares of woodland and scrub. The blaze, which started near the Ermita del Rosario on Sunday afternoon, forced around 50 people from their homes, including residents of Montemayor Alto, Montemayor, and Benahavis Hills. The fire threatened areas where homes and forest meet, prompting authorities to evacuate the affected residents.
Heavy helicopters dropped water in one of the year's biggest firefighting operations, supported by a large fleet of aircraft and ground vehicles. Firefighters worked tirelessly throughout the night to prevent the fire's head from advancing, using heavy machinery to protect Benahavis and nearby residential areas.
On Monday, the fire was declared stabilised at around 7:30pm, allowing firefighting efforts to be scaled back to pre-emergency levels. Antonio Sanz, the Junta de Andalucia's vice-president and regional minister for emergencies, highlighted the progress as an important stage in combating the blaze.
Despite the improved situation, firefighters have not left the area. INFOCA crews remain on-site to monitor the perimeter, extinguish hot spots, and prevent any potential reignition of the flames. Three people were injured during the emergency: a 78-year-old man suffered burns to between 30 and 35 percent of his body after attempting to tackle the flames; a forest firefighter sustained a broken wrist in a fall; and another individual experienced smoke inhalation.
The fire was exacerbated by the combination of strong easterly winds, steep terrain, and the presence of numerous ravines and valleys. Fire behaviour was particularly challenging due to these factors. According to technical analysis by INFOCA, the flames spread rapidly along ridges and slopes exposed to the wind.
While the immediate danger to Benahavis residents has eased, authorities emphasize that the area will remain under surveillance until the fire is fully extinguished. Police investigations suggest that the initial blaze broke out on the main road to Benahavis Village, likely originating from a stopped car moments before the alarm was raised.
Written by urgent.news from Euro Weekly News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
