Laurence Dollimore
THIS is the moment a huge forest blaze was filmed in the hills of the Costa del Sol this evening.
It comes after a level 1 emergency was declared after the fire broke out at around 7pm in Casares.
Los #BomberosForestales del Plan Infoca siguen trabajando en la extinción del #IFCasares (ACTIVO), declarado esta tarde. Las pronunciadas pendientes y vientos de 25km/h, no ayudan a la estabilización del fuego.#YoQuieroVerteMañana pic.twitter.com/1tsGw58va3
— INFOCA (@Plan_INFOCA) October 1, 2019
INFOCA most recently tweeted that winds of 25km/hr are ‘not helping’ firefighters put out the flames.
Some six helicopters, two firetrucks and 36 firefighters were initially roped in to tackle the blaze in the Sierra Crestellina.
The fire is still raging on as the aircraft had to be grounded once the sun set.
The MA-8300 was cut off from the Las Cadenitas and Celima areas.
At 10:30 pm, when the flames turned north, however, the road opened again.
A level 1 Emergency Plan for forest fires was declared at 8.50pm.
The fire has two fronts, in the Celina and La Arquita areas.
A strong westerly wind is threatening to bring the flames closer to homes but firefighters are working hard to prevent it from reaching towns.
At least one home has been destroyed.
Its owner reportedly became trapped and had to take refuge in the pool until he was rescued by firefighters.
Other properties have been evacuated but have not yet been touched by the flames.
More to follow…
