A 39-year-old Czech citizen has been arrested by the Guardia Civil in Pinos Puentes, accused of causing a forest fire yesterday.

Fortunately, the fire on the left bank of Río Genil next to the GR-3200 road in the municipality of Pinos Puentes, was quickly put out before it could develop.

Incredibly, the environmental branch of the Guardia Civil, Seprona, had already reported the man in 2014 and 2015 for lighting a campfire in a wooded area. This behaviour had been reported by several hikers who had complained that he lit an open fire every evening next to the river.

Editorial comment: This is Andalucia, Folks, and summer to boot – do not light any fires in the open under any circumstances until after the autumn rains, come the end of September. Quite apart from the damage and lives at risk, the cost of the fire-fighting operation plus damage to private and public property will be charged to you.

(News: Vega de Granada, Andalucia)