The Spanish Army has been deployed to help battle a major wildfire on the outskirts of Murcia that has already burned through more than 110 hectares and forced around 100 people to evacuate their homes.
The blaze broke out on Tuesday afternoon in the mountainous Cresta del Gallo area between Los Garres and Lages, sending a huge plume of smoke visible across much of Murcia city.
As the fire spread rapidly through difficult terrain, authorities activated the Region of Murcia’s INFOmur emergency plan at Level 2 and requested assistance from the central government.
Interior Ministry resources, including aircraft from Jaen, Requena and Torrejon, were immediately mobilised, while firefighting teams from Valencia and Castilla-La Mancha also joined the operation.
Murcia’s government delegate Francisco Lucas confirmed that a coordination aircraft, two Alpha firefighting planes, a water-bombing aircraft and a helicopter had all been deployed to the scene, alongside four regional helicopters already operating in the area.
Military personnel from the UME were also dispatched to support the firefighting effort.
In total, around 250 personnel and nine aircraft are involved in the operation.
Residents flee as flames approach homes
The fire was first reported at around 3.10pm. Within hours, Murcia’s 112 emergency centre had received more than 200 calls from concerned residents alarmed by the rapidly expanding smoke column.
The wildfire quickly spread towards residential areas in the upper part of Los Garres, near a school and cemetery, creating moments of panic among residents.
Witnesses described people rushing to remove valuables from their homes while others attempted to defend their properties using garden hoses and buckets of water.
One person required medical treatment for burns sustained during the incident.
As a precaution, Murcia City Council ordered the evacuation of around 50 homes closest to the advancing flames.
Authorities also closed several senior centres, football pitches and sports facilities in Los Garres, San José de la Vega, Beniaján, Los Ramos, Torreagüera and Algezares.
An emergency assistance point has been established at the Los Garres Casino, while the municipal centre in San José de la Vega remains open for anyone requiring support.
Roads closed and transport disrupted
Local Police have sealed off multiple roads to facilitate emergency operations and prevent public access to the affected area.
Road closures include access routes to Cresta del Gallo via Los Teatinos and San Jose, calle Antonio Diaz in Los Garres, the Camino Tiñosa access road and Camino San Jose.
Public transport has also been affected, with bus route 50 terminating early at the Los Garres petrol station and route 78 being diverted through Ronda Sur.
Extreme heat complicating firefight
The wildfire erupted during one of the hottest days of the year so far.
Murcia was under an orange weather warning for extreme heat on Tuesday, with temperatures expected to exceed 41C.
Authorities said strong and shifting winds, combined with the area’s rugged terrain and soaring temperatures, were making firefighting efforts particularly challenging.
Regional president Fernando Lopez Miras and Murcia mayor Rebeca Pérez travelled to the scene to oversee operations.
‘The absolute priority is guaranteeing everyone’s safety,’ Lopez Miras said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also commented on the fire, saying on social media that he was following developments ‘with concern’.
Fire crews remained at the scene late into Tuesday evening as efforts continued to contain the blaze.
