Seprona (the environmental branch of the Guardia Civil based in Granada together with officers from the Capileira post, are investigating the Bubión hillfire.

The fire broke out last Wednesday and because of the natural beauty of the valley, Infoca were out in force, operating up to 14 aircraft (both fixed wing and rotary) at the height of the blaze. The task was especially difficult because the fire started in an area on very steep-sided mountainside.

According to official statistics, behind 95% of forest fires is the hand of Man, either through negligence, accident or arson.

Vox populi around the Barranco de Poqueira is that the fire was deliberate but one thing is the word going around amongst locals and quite another is the official conclusion, for which we will have to wait.

(News: Bubion, Alpujarra, Granada Andalucia)