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Smouldering cardboard at the recycling centre after the blaze.
Large Casares wildfire reaches waste plant and forces evacuation of homes

Large Casares wildfire reaches waste plant and forces evacuation of homes

Over 100 firefighters fought the blaze last Sunday afternoon that destroyed 227 hectares of hillside and could be seen along the Costa

CHARO MÁRQUEZ

Friday, 27 July 2018, 10:46

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A large bushfire broke out in the Costa del Sol municipality of Casares last Sunday. The alarm was raised about 4pm in the rural hillside area known as Finca del Álamo near to the village. Some flames reached the nearby waste treatment and recycling plant for the western Costa del Sol district. Although the plant itself was saved, around 100 bales of compacted cardboard were set alight before the emergency services were able to soak them in water.

Mayor of Casares, José Carrasco, explained that from the start the fire brigade tried to keep the fires in the area of the waste plant so that the westerly wind didn't fan the flames up the hillside to the higher reaches of the Sierra Bermeja mountains. He added that police had evacuated 20 local properties as an extra precaution, forcing some 60 people to flee, many of whom were in bathing costumes and had been enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon at home.

Council premises were prepared to be used for those affected and the local Red Cross handed out blankets and sandwiches. Most were local residents, although some were holidaymakers who were renting the villas emptied. In the end those evacuated were all offered shelter in neighbouring homes. The mayor thanked local people for their "kind attitude and hospitality".

Firebreak saves waste plant

In all, 227 hectares were destroyed by the flames which were fanned rapidly by the westerly wind of between 15 and 20 km/h. An area of cleared land, acting as a firebreak around the waste treatment plan, prevented the flames reaching more of the site than the destroyed bales of cardboard.

A spokesperson for the association of western Costa del Sol municipalities that owns the plant said: "The procedures for this type of incident meant that it turned into a sort of island, surrounded by fire, and was hardly affected."

During the operation, the specialist forest-fire control unit, Infoca, used 14 aircraft; eight helicopters, five water dowsing planes and a lookout plane. 127 firefighters, trained in wild fires, and logistics and medical staff were on the scene at the height of the blaze.

The column of smoke could be seen across the western Costa and stretched over neighbouring Estepona, where some residents feared it was their own distinct that was on fire.

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