Fire ravaged many of the forested areas of Guardamar del Segura close to Playa Babylon this evening (Monday) as the Generalitat Valenciana mobilised aerial and ground firefighters to contain its outbreak along with forestry brigades from Alicante.
By the early evening it had destroyed approximately a hectare of pinewood and was still active, although the Consorcio de Bomberos believed that they would be able to bring it under control by the latter part of the evening.
The causes of the outbreak, which was reported just after 5pm, is unknown. Unfortunately high winds in the area have fanned the flames which are understood to have spread to a number of community areas with abundant vegetation.
The mayor, José Luis Sáez , said that the fire is considered to have been the work of a pyromaniac adding that Guardamar has been the scene of several fires during recent years, particularly in September.
Sources from the province’s fire brigade have reported that firefighters attended from Orihuela, Torrevieja and Almoradí , as well as the forest brigades of Guardamar del Segura, Alicante and Tibi.
The fire was also being tackled from the air with three firefighting aircraft currently being used in an attempt to stop the flames spreading further.
Civil Guard and the Local Police from Guardamar were also on hand to maintain security around the major site which is in the middle of a protected area.
The fire in Guardamar was not the only one recorded on Monday in Vega Baja. Another fire broke out during the afternoon next to the road from Catral to Dolores which destroyed 6,000 meters of canes.
Both fires were extinguished by late evening although firefighters remained on the scene throughout the night to quell the small pockets of embers that remained.
