BTN News: A devastating wildfire that broke out on Sunday in the Sierra de Andújar, located in the province of Jaén, Spain, has led to the evacuation of between 400 and 500 people from approximately 200 homes scattered across the affected area. Among these evacuees, around 60 have already been relocated to nearby hotels as emergency efforts intensify. The fire, which has engulfed over 700 hectares and created a perimeter of more than 20 kilometers, continues to pose a significant threat to the region, particularly to the numerous residential areas and vast olive groves that characterize the landscape.
As of Monday, Jesús Estrella, the delegate of the Andalusian Government in Jaén, provided an update from the advanced command post established to manage the emergency. He highlighted that the priority for the firefighting teams is to focus their efforts on the head and southern sector of the fire. This strategy is crucial to protect the many scattered residential areas, especially those in the vicinity of La Lancha, which are at heightened risk. The dedicated efforts of the firefighting teams have managed to slow the fire’s progress, but the situation remains precarious, particularly for the region’s valuable olive groves, which are under imminent threat from the advancing flames.
Throughout the night, firefighters from the Andalusian wildfire prevention and extinguishing plan, known as Infoca, worked tirelessly to slow down the spread of the fire, which initially ignited near the Encinarejo reservoir in the Sierra de Andújar. Early this morning, the conditions in the affected area were marked by a wind speed of 10 kilometers per hour and a relative humidity of 20%, factors that have both aided and hindered firefighting efforts. On the ground, 150 firefighting personnel have been deployed, supported by 13 aerial units, which include five land-loading aircraft, two amphibious planes, two FOCA-type aircraft, and an Aerial Coordination Aircraft (ACO) that was added to the operations this morning.
The Andalusian regional government has declared an emergency phase for this wildfire due to the significant risk it poses to both human life and property. The fire has taken hold in a predominantly forested area, but the presence of numerous olive trees within the fire’s reach has added another layer of urgency to the ongoing firefighting efforts. The potential loss of these olive groves, which are a vital part of the local economy and cultural heritage, underscores the gravity of the situation.
The situation in the Sierra de Andújar is evolving rapidly, and the response teams are racing against time to contain the fire and minimize its devastating impact. The combined efforts of ground and air units have so far managed to slow the fire’s advance, but with the unpredictable nature of wildfires, the battle is far from over. The threat to the olive groves, in particular, is a major concern, as these trees are not only economically important but also deeply ingrained in the local culture and way of life. As the firefighting efforts continue, the focus remains on protecting lives, homes, and the region’s precious natural and agricultural resources.
