Helicopters and almost 100 firefighters control wildfire in Canillas de Albaida as efforts continue to extinguish it

The Junta de Andalucía’s Plan Infoca brigade are tackling a new wildfire in Malaga province that was declared just after 4pm on Saturday 10 September.

More than 70 specialist firefighters and three helicopters were sent to the scene of the blaze in the Los Alamillos area of Canillas de Albaida.

The Malaga Provincial Fire Brigade also sent regular crews from the Vélez-Málaga, Nerja and Periana fire stations, it has been reported through social media networks.

The mayor of the town, Jorge Martín, told SUR that the fire started in two different areas, near the Limón stream. The evacuation of three houses was deemed necessary. The flames have entered the natural park of the Sierras Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama, in the Mosquín area. "It looks bad, but with all the Plan Infoca means that are available, hopefully they can control it soon," the local official added.

By 9.15pm on Saturday evening Plan Infoca annouced that the wildfire was 'stabilised' and air support was withdrawn as darkness fell. Ground crews will remain on the scene through the night as they continue their efforts to control and extinguish the blaze.

Once the fire had been stabilised, Martín congratulated the "extraordinary work" of Plan Infoca and the Provincial Fire Brigade crews. "Hopefully it can be controlled as soon as possible," said the mayor of Canillas de Albaida, who added that the fire "has all the appearance that it was intentional, because it started at two different points that merged together."

On Sunday morning, 11 September, Plan Info reported the wildfire was 'controlled' as efforts continued to fully extinguish it.

Martín explained the flames have penetrated at least three kilometers into the natural park, with a width of one kilometre in some areas. "We are waiting to find out the size of the affected area, which Infoca will tell us, but it could be at least 50 hectares," he said.