In recent days, Ponteceso has experienced a critical situation due to a series of forest fires that have ravaged various parishes in the Coruña municipality. Fire, favored by strong gusts of northeasterly winds and adverse weather conditions, has put the authorities in check and forced the deployment of numerous emergency teams to try to control the emergency.
Residents evacuated, roads closed, and more than 500 hectares burned. These are some of the consequences of this wave of fires. The rapid spread of the flames and the proximity to homes has made extinction efforts more difficult, generating moments of great tension at points such as Balarés, Guxín and Corme Aldea.
Origin of the fires and initial actions
The first flames broke out in the parish of Cospindo, in the town of O Couto, at 16:12 p.m. on a Saturday that is already being described as black. This fire, one of the most virulent and destructive, forced evict the inhabitants of the village of Balarés, cutting off access and leaving some areas isolated. A high-voltage cable could be behind the fire, according to preliminary investigations.
The advance of the flames forced the mobilization of dozens of forestry brigades, technicians, agents and air and ground resources to try to stop a situation that, in a few hours, became complicated with the appearance of new outbreaks.
New outbreaks and spread of the fire
While trying to control the Cospindo fire, Other outbreaks were declared in Brantuas, A Graña, Cores, Nemeño and, later, in Gorda, Guxín and Corme Aldea. The fire It advanced at high speed, destroying areas of forest and coming dangerously close to inhabited areas.The strong wind hampered aerial work and caused the closure of roads such as the AC-424 or the DP-6801, leaving towns like Corme isolated and forcing residents to evacuate to safe locations, such as the municipal pavilion.
In Corme Aldea and Guxín, the situation worsened due to the inability to operate helicopters and airplanes Due to the risk to equipment, efforts are being focused on ground tasks during critical hours.
Affected areas and status of the fires
In just 72 hours, Ponteceso has recorded six fires, most of which were allegedly provoked, which have caused the loss of more than 500 hectares of forestThe main parishes affected have been:
- Cospindo (with more than 245 hectares burned and already extinguished)
- Brantuas (exceeding 170 hectares, stabilized)
- to Grana (around 100 hectares, controlled)
- Colors y Nemeño (minor effects and rapid stabilization)
- Corme Aldea and Guxín (main focus on the last day, with more than 20 hectares devastated and dozens of people evacuated)
To date, The Corme fire was still active and represents the greatest concern. Emergency teams continue to work, with a significant presence of brigades, firefighters, environmental agents, and heavy machinery.
Deployment of resources and activation of the Emergency Plan
Given the seriousness of the situation, the Situation 2 of the Forest Fire Plan of Galicia, for cases in which fire threatens inhabited areas. The Military Emergency Unit (UME) It was requested by the Xunta (regional government) following an offer from the central government. In addition, Civil Protection personnel, local GES (General State Administration of Social Security), firefighters from various municipalities, and the Civil Guard were mobilized to coordinate evictions and access control.
The deployment included More than 20 forestry brigade units, motor pumps, helicopters when conditions permitted, and heavy machinery such as bulldozersThe magnitude of the response demonstrates the extent and danger of the fire.
Environmental impact and social tension
Environmental devastation and social alarm have been two of the most visible faces of this emergency.The burned wooded area affects areas of high natural value such as Monte Branco, where there are also disputes over disputed wind power projects and a special ecological sensitivity.
The authorities, including the mayor of Ponteceso and the Xunta, have denounced the alleged intentionality of a good part of the fires, while the regional minister for Rural Environment has spoken of a "attempt" Due to the damage caused and the risk to homes and people, adverse weather conditions, including strong winds, are complicating the work, but teams are working tirelessly to control the situation and return to normal as quickly as possible.
The fire in Corme Aldea, still out of control, maintains the municipality's highest alert. The spread of the flames has led to the mobilization of the Emergency Medical Unit (UME) and reinforcement of the operation with brigades and heavy machinery. Coordinated efforts are key to protecting the population and reducing damage, while the investigation progresses to identify those responsible for these events, which have left their mark on the Costa da Morte.