Such has been this premature irruption of summer into late spring that Infoca has been activated to protect Andalusia forestlands as temperatures reach the high 30s.

The Head of the regional Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fishing, Carmen Crespo, explained that this was a temporary measure to combat the recent high temperatures of these last few days.

Consequently, aircraft have been wheeled out of winter storage and 70 lookout points manned.

Besides the helicopters (heavy-lift, twin-rotor helicopters and smaller transport ones) and land-based, fixed-wing water bombers, Infoca will also be using drones – a sign of the times.

Seen in the accompanying article photo is a modern observation and control aircraft

Meanwhile, on top of the Sierra Nevada the thaw is happening at an unprecedented pace owing to the calima deposits this year:  white snow reflects the heat; muddy brown snow absorbs it. In fact, not only is the snow melting but it is also literally evaporating, meaning that some of the melt is not even reaching the rivers.

(News: Andalucia)