Spain Wildfires Kill 12 as Firefighters Shift to Direct Attack Near Bedar
A wildfire that broke out Thursday in Spain's southeastern Almeria province near Bedar and Los Gallardos has killed 12 people, burned more than 6,000 hectares and forced the evacuation of over 1,400 residents as extreme heat and winds fueled rapid spread. Spain wildfires have generated overlapping problems for much of southern Europe. [1]
Outbreak and Rapid Spread in Almeria
The wildfire broke out on Thursday in the Gallardos area of the southern region of Andalusia near the forested district of Bédar north of Los Gallardos. [3] Authorities suspect the wildfire began when a power line broke as Spain sweltered in extreme heat, creating tinderbox conditions. [2] The fast-moving fire covered 15 kilometres in two hours according to the regional president. [3] The blaze has torn through over 6,000 hectares of land and devastated an area of steep ravines that is hard for vehicles to reach. [2] [4] The fire spread rapidly on Friday, engulfing victims as they tried to flee. [3] The parish priest of Bédar and Los Gallardos said he saw smoke far away but when he came out of Mass there was a cloud of black smoke and the flames were devouring everything. [3]
The Human Toll and Victim Circumstances
Twelve people died after getting trapped in vehicles and as they tried to flee on foot. [2] Most of those killed are thought to be British and Belgian nationals along with one Spaniard. [3] Eight people were injured in the fire, four of them severely, and remain in hospital in Seville. [3] Autopsies have been conducted on all 12 bodies recovered though the victims’ identities are yet to be confirmed. [3] No one has been identified yet nor is it possible at this time to determine the age or sex of the deceased. [3] Samples had been transferred to Madrid for further analysis and comparison with DNA samples provided by families. [3] Authorities have played down the likelihood of a major increase in the death toll saying the number of people formally reported by families as missing was seven compared to 23 that had been reported informally by Friday. [3]
Residents of Bedar recall escaping the wildfire that killed 12 in Almeria, Spain. — Source: bangkokpost
Evacuations and Emergency Response
More than 1,400 people had been evacuated by late Friday as the wildfire continued to burn near Los Gallardos with precautionary evacuations in several communities around Bédar. [3] Over 500 firefighters and emergency workers are involved in the firefighting effort including regional firefighters and soldiers and 19 specialists from a national firefighting brigade. [3] Around 500 firefighters backed by over 20 water-dropping aircraft were battling the blaze. [4] Emergency officials said crews were concentrating their efforts on the western flank of the blaze where the fire remains most intense and is spreading fastest. [3] Officials said some of those who died had not followed orders to evacuate or to shelter in place once the flames got too close. [2] [4]
Survivor Accounts from Bedar and Los Gallardos
As flames raced toward the Spanish village of Bedar Manoli Ramos received a desperate order from the mayor to run to the church and ring the bells to warn residents. [2] “We rang the bells many times so people would know” the 72-year-old Bedar town councillor told AFP. [2] Foreigners live scattered outside Bedar and many lived in isolated homes outside the village seeking privacy and tranquillity but potentially making it more difficult to receive warnings or escape as the flames spread. [2] For Hassan Oulghazzi the fire first appeared as a dark cloud hanging over his home and he fled with his wife and daughter without being able to take their belongings. [2] Austin Crilly an 87-year-old Briton said he was watching television when he saw a huge black cloud and then police said take your money take your cards and get out. [2] [4] Martin Smith a 63-year-old British tourist said it wasn’t good not good at all and he had never seen anything like it. [2] [4]
Spanish firefighters shift to direct attack against the deadly wildfire near Bedar in Almeria. — Source: cyprusmail
Improving Conditions and Containment Progress
The overnight evolution has been favourable and the weather conditions allow officials to face the day with better prospects than yesterday. [4] Antonio Sanz the Andalusian regional government’s emergency chief said for the first time crews will be able to carry out a direct attack on the fire. [4] Until now both the weather conditions and the nature of the blaze only allowed crews to work defensively. [4] Strong winds that had fuelled the fire had eased humidity levels had risen and temperatures had fallen. [4] The night has passed relatively well within the complexity and dimensions of the fire and the fronts have remained less active and no new direct threats to inhabited areas have occurred. [3] Spain’s Civil Guard police had searched the affected areas without finding any further victims. [4] Sanz said there had been no reports of additional deaths overnight describing that as the best news officials could have. [4]
Context of Heat and Fire Across Southern Europe
Heat and fire generate overlapping problems for much of southern Europe. [1] Scientists agree that human-driven climate change is making extreme weather events such as heatwaves more likely and more intense. [4]
What to watch next: Officials said the wildfire remained complex and continued to advance but firefighters’ work stopped it from crossing the highway towards the more heavily populated coastal towns while searches continue. [3]
