The devastating Los Gallardos wildfire has finally been stabilised after days of relentless firefighting, allowing around 1,000 evacuated residents to begin returning to their homes.
Andalucia’s regional president Juanma Moreno confirmed the breakthrough on Sunday morning, describing it as ‘good news’ after what has been one of the region’s darkest wildfire disasters in recent memory.
According to Moreno, the blaze has now been fully contained within a secure perimeter, prompting authorities to downgrade the emergency to Operational Situation 1.
The move means the phased return of the approximately 1,000 people forced to flee the flames can now begin, although firefighters remain on the ground to ensure the fire is brought fully under control.
‘Good news. After very difficult days, INFOCA has declared the Los Gallardos wildfire stabilised,’ Moreno wrote.
‘The fire has been contained and secured. Therefore, we are downgrading to Operational Situation 1 and authorising the gradual return of the 1,000 people who remained evacuated.
‘The operation will continue working towards full control. Thank you very much to all the teams for their work, dedication and excellent coordination.’
The announcement marks a significant milestone following an extraordinary emergency response involving hundreds of firefighters, military personnel, police officers, emergency workers and volunteers.
The wildfire, which broke out on Thursday afternoon near Los Gallardos in Almeria province, rapidly spread through tinder-dry vegetation amid extreme heat and strong winds, forcing mass evacuations and leaving a trail of devastation.
Twelve people have tragically lost their lives, making it one of Spain’s deadliest wildfires in recent decades.
Dozens of homes were destroyed or damaged, while thousands of hectares of countryside have been scorched.
Three days of official mourning remain in force across Andalucia as investigations continue into the cause of the fire.
Although the blaze has now been stabilised, authorities have stressed that firefighters will remain at the scene until there is no risk of further flare-ups.
Residents returning home have also been urged to follow instructions from emergency services as recovery efforts begin.
More than 500 emergency personnel remain deployed, including Plan INFOCA, the Military Emergency Unit (UME), BRIF, firefighters, Guardia Civil and Policia Nacional.
12 dead as searches continue
The official death toll remains at 12, with eight people injured.
Authorities are also investigating eight formal missing person reports, while separately trying to locate around 20 people whose relatives have been unable to contact them.
Search teams, supported by the Andalucia Emergency Group (GREA) and Civil Protection volunteers, continue combing the entire burn area using GPS mapping to ensure no area is left unchecked.
DNA identification underway
The Guardia Civil’s Criminalistics Service has now obtained genetic profiles from all 12 bodies recovered from the wildfire.
However, none of the victims has yet been formally identified, as investigators are still waiting for DNA samples from relatives – many of whom are travelling to Spain from abroad – to complete the identification process.
Investigation continues
The Guardia Civil’s investigation into the cause of the wildfire remains ongoing.
Detectives are continuing forensic examinations around the suspected ignition point as they seek to establish how a fire that ultimately burned around 6,600 hectares escalated into one of the deadliest wildfires in modern Andalucian history.
Authorities are expected to provide a further update later today, while Defence Minister Margarita Robles is due to visit the affected area on Sunday.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is expected to travel to Almeria on Monday after postponing his planned visit to Gibraltar.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
