Red alert for forest fires

Regional government gives prevention talks

THE VALENCIA government placed the region on maximum alert for forest fires on Monday.

The risk level was still classed as ‘extreme’ for the north of Alicante yesterday (Thursday) but had been lowered to ‘high’ for the south of the province.

Director for emergencies José Maria Ángel called for residents and tourists to ‘ take as much care as possible’ due the very high risk of fires in the countryside.

“People should be aware that lives are at stake as well as our natural heritage,” said Sr Ángel.

He urged anyone who sees smoke in the countryside, which they think could be a wild fire, to call the 112 emergency number immediately to report it.

Sr Ángel noted that quick action is ‘ fundamental’ to keep fires under control and extinguish them before they get out of control.

He explained that a fire which broke out in Montgó natural park on July 8 was reported at 15.30 by a member of the public on the 112 number, and ‘four minutes later we had mobilised fire teams to extinguish it’.

Advice for the public

The regional government is continuing with its ‘Stop al foc’ campaign which aims to raise awareness over the danger of forest fires.

A talk to inform people living in urbanisations close to the countryside about basic protection measures for their homes was held on Wednesday in San Miguel de Salinas town hall.

It was aimed at residents in areas such as Eagle’s Nest, Las Filipinas, Ciudad de las Comunicaciones and even in Orihuela Costa and Pinar de Campoverde, but only seven people attended.

“People buy properties near forests and natural areas because they have an added value and offer impressive views,” noted environmental scientist Ramón Pérez.

“However, they are not aware of the fire risk they face, how fast it can all be destroyed and the crucial role they play in protecting their homes, their lives and the forest by taking basic precautions.”

Sr Pérez noted that urbanisations must have a basic fire prevention plan, which includes eliminating most trees and bushes around the urbanisations to prevent fire reach- ing homes, keeping gardens clean, establishing an escape route and eliminating all potential risks which could cause a fire to spread.

He said the main priority for fire fighters is protecting human life – and then protecting homes.

He noted that in these cases forests and the countryside are the last priority and many beautiful areas have been destroyed because homeowners have not taken any basic measures and all the efforts and resources of the emergency services have been focused on their properties.

Measures homeowners should take include removing all dry plants and weeds, replacing highly-flammable cypress trees for other species, pruning trees so branches do not reach their properties, ensuring trees stand some distance apart, having a water source in the garden, and not storing flammable items such as plastics, paintings or gas bottles.

“A swimming pool can be a great source of water if the owner has a small engine to pump it, because power is usually off during forest fires,” he said.

“Residents living in the countryside need to change their mind-sets and choose whether they want to be part of the problem or part of the solution.”

He stressed that the owners of homes close to public areas of forest are allowed to chop down and remove plants to create a firewall and they only have to fill in an application form at the town hall.

“Regional and local governments have their responsibility as well,” he added.

He admitted that if land is private – such as a garden or farmers’ fields – the owner has to give permission for pruning and cleaning works, which can make the process more difficult for the authorities.

“40% of all fires are due to the negligence of farmers, residents and motorists,” he added.

Relleu blaze

Twenty hectares of trees and scrubland were destroyed in a forest fire in Relleu that began during the early hours of Tuesday and could not be extinguished until Wednesday.

Flames, located in the Mas de la Garrofera area, were visible from Benidorm.