Tarifa is experiencing difficult days after a massive forest fire broke out. in the natural setting of La Peña, one of the most visited areas on the Cadiz coast. The emergency surprised tourists and residents in the middle of the peak season, prompting a rapid response from emergency services and a significant deployment of ground and air resources.
On the afternoon of Tuesday, August 5, the fire started in a motorhome located at the Torre de la Peña campsite., according to information gathered by the Local Police and witnesses. The strong easterly wind, with gusts between 20 and 25 kilometers per hour, favored the spread of the flames towards areas of woods and grassland, forcing vacate hotels, campsites, beach bars and homes in a short timeThe influx of visitors and the complexity of the area made it necessary to urgently evacuate some 1.500 guests and the removal of at least 5.000 vehicles of the affected environment.
Deployment of resources and emergency operations
El Infoca Plan activated the emergency phase, operational situation 1, given the magnitude and the possibility that the fire could affect people and non-forest property. The operation involves up to 17 air assets, including heavy and medium-heavy helicopters, amphibious and ground-based cargo aircraft, and a command helicopter. Several BRICA reinforcement brigades, forest firefighter groups, and numerous operations technicians, environmental agents, and specialized medical personnel were also deployed.
Among the resources mobilized are four firefighters from the Provincial Fire Consortium of Cádiz, from different fire stations in the province, and medical, meteorological, and analytical units. Advanced Command It was located next to the El Olivo restaurant, near kilometer 74 of the N-340 highway, a road whose circulation was suspended. between kilometers 71 and 80 in both directions due to the advance of the fire and the presence of smoke and ashes.
Evacuations and care for those affected
Evacuation operations have been complex due to the concentration of visitors and the proximity of the flames to tourist facilities.The affected establishments include hotels such as Punta Sur, La Torre, Tres Mares, 100% Fun, Copacabana, Dulce Nombre, as well as the Valdevaqueros, Paloma Baja, and Casa Porro campsites, as well as popular beach bars such as El Tumbao and Tangana.
The authorities launched two citizen service points, located at the La Marina sports center and at the Infoca facilities in Facinas, for the temporary relocation of those evacuated. According to official sources, At least 94 people were relocated in an emergency and the Chef José Andrés Foundation collaborated in feeding those affected and the intervention teams.
The situation generated a standoff for several hours. real circulatory chaos and nervousness among those forced to leave their accommodations, while alert messages were activated for those who were on beaches and establishments near the risk zone, recommending that they avoid the area and not approach it out of curiosity.
Fire control and emergency developments
The fire remains active and out of control, although progress is favorable on some sides.The priority of the teams, according to Antonio Sanz, Minister of the Presidency of the Andalusian Regional Government, is to consolidate the perimeter in the southern area, closer to the road and where the largest number of accommodations and homes are concentrated.
During the early hours of the morning, up to 125 professionals were deployed, including forest firefighters, BRICA (Rescue Brigade of Natural Resources), technicians, environmental agents, and logistics and systems personnel. Tasks are focused especially on the northern and eastern flanks, where fire activity is still ongoing, and technical burning is being carried out to create safety zones and prevent the fire from spreading. Furthermore, collaboration with nearby municipalities has been crucial in providing additional resources and supporting evacuees.
The N-340 has been reopened to traffic once conditions have allowed, although Access to the most affected areas remains restrictedThe authorities have marked alternative routes and ask the population maximum caution and patience until the fire is considered under control and the damage to homes and tourist accommodations is assessed. No personal casualties have been reported, although material damage to several facilities and vehicles has occurred.
