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WATCH: Lightning sparks multiple wildfires in Murcia
Cieza, Moratalla and Abarán become the latest casualties of Spain’s ongoing wildfire crisis
Spain is now battling through its tenth straight day of devastating wildfires that have already scorched more than 115,000 hectares, forced thousands of people from their homes and claimed several lives.
Despite reinforcements from the Spanish Navy and neighbouring countries, the flames continue to burn across large areas of the country. In the Region of Murcia, the mix of soaring temperatures and storm activity has created the perfect conditions for disaster.
On Monday August 18, lightning strikes sparked several wildfires, prompting the activation of Phase 1 of the Infomur Plan.
In Cieza, two separate fires broke out in the Almorchón mountain range and in the Herrada area. Five forestry brigades and firefighters from the regional Fire and Rescue Consortium were deployed to the Rambla del Cárcavo, where they succeeded in stabilising the flames.Abarán was also hit when a lightning strike set fire to the Sierra del Oro mountain range. The blaze spread quickly through the Médica ravine in the intense heat and flames could be seen from the town’s health centre. Eight forestry brigades and firefighters tackled the fire with the support of two helicopters, Local Police and Civil Protection teams.
According to the head of the Local Police, Juan Moya, "the fire was brought under control around six in the evening, with no damage to people or farmhouses."
The authorities urged residents to stay away from the area so that emergency crews could work safely.
Meanwhile, another blaze was reported in the Sierra de la Puerta mountain range between Moratalla and Caravaca de la Cruz. Four forestry brigades and Caravaca firefighters responded and by late Monday afternoon the fire was declared stabilised.
The Caravaca Town Council confirmed that the flames had damaged pine trees in the Los Corrales and Rasa ravines, spreading more than 300 metres. Firefighters continued surveillance overnight, carrying out air relief operations to prevent flare-ups.
The Mayor of Caravaca, José Francisco García, thanked the emergency services for "the efforts and efficiency of all the personnel who were quickly deployed to the area, preventing a major disaster."The wildfires were made worse by a weather phenomenon known as a thermal burst, which occurred on Monday when thunderstorms coincided with extreme heat.
According to meteorologists, a thermal burst happens when descending air plummets rapidly to the ground before spreading out horizontally, producing violent gusts of wind. If accompanied by lightning, these storms can easily spark new fires.
>>> Follow our Murcia Weather Watch Facebook group for more weather updates or see our Weather & Climate page <<<
Images: Emergencias Murcia
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