(Costa Tropical, east) One hundred hectares of mountain shrub went up in flames near Gualchos on the 19th, making it the largest incident of its kind in the province of Granada this year.

Yet this fire is only the last in a long line of small fires in the area (Gualchos-Castell de Ferro) over the last few weeks. Since the beginning of the month, around 20.30 and 22.30, small fires have ‘mysteriously’ broken out, but have been extinguished almost immediately, before they could get out of control, thanks to the rapid response of Infoca and local fire services.

“They always break out in the same area, behind Pico Aguila, near the road that links Motril to Gualchos, says the Mayor of Gualchos, Eloy Martin, adding, “in fact, on some days, we’ve had double helpings.”

This latest fire started late Sunday night and spilled over into Monday morning, affecting 100 hectares in the Coto de los Morenos. During the night units from the Motril Fire service tackled the fire, together with Infoca ground units, then, at first light, eight Infoca aircraft came into action. All told, 70 people, three fire engines, five helicopters and three aeroplanes took part.

(News: Gualchos-Castell de Ferro, Costa Tropical, Grananda, Andalucia)