Whilst you’re sitting there, lamenting what a dismal beginning the summer has made, the firemen in Granada have been putting out ten grass fires a day.

The problem is caused by farmers and gardeners wanting to burn off cuttings before the summer really comes to town, but in many cases the bonfires just get out of hand: people think, “It’s not that hot yet, and then are surprised when half the mountainside goes up in flames, bless them.

“Last week we averaged ten call outs a day between the two fire stations,” said Fire Chief, Jesús Cabrera. He explained that one of the latest ones, which occurred in Pulianas just outside the city, swallowed 20 hectares of matorral (brush).

Thankfully, though, the majority affect around a hectar and a bigger one, five hectares, so they are not ecological disasters for their size nor vegetation destroyed.

The problem is that it has been a wet winter and spring – especially spring – so the undergrowth has been abundant. Now, as the hot weather sets it, it dries out and becomes standing hay and you only need one carelessly tossed cigarette butt…

Anyway, from the 1st of July the BBQ’s and bonfires are forbidden until the autumn rains come, around mid October.

You have been warned, Folks!

(News: Granada, Andalucia)