Pasaron de la Vera, Spain - August 22, 2024

The forest fire that broke out in Pasaron de la Vera, Caceres, at approximately 3:40 PM on August 22nd, has now been brought under control, prompting the withdrawal of emergency crews back to their bases. The fire, which initially threatened to spread across the dehesa landscape, also affected the nearby municipalities of Tejeda de Tietar and Torremenga.

The incident escalated quickly, leading to the activation of Level 1 emergency measures by 4:30 PM, signaling a risk to non-forestry assets and human safety. By 6 PM, the regional government's Civil Protection Plan was mobilized, deploying a comprehensive response involving both terrestrial and aerial units.

The firefighting efforts were spearheaded by the Infoex (Forest Fire Plan of Extremadura) with support from the national government, including the Pinofranqueado-based State Forest Fire Brigade (BRIF), local firefighters, the Civil Guard, and the Red Cross. The EX-203 road experienced intermittent closures, and the Civil Guard patrolled the area, alerting residents to stay vigilant.

By late evening, around 8:50 PM, the situation appeared stable, with the fire largely contained, though vigilance remained high. The coordination of the response was managed through the Infocaex system, which includes the establishment of emergency direction and coordination bodies.

The 112 Extremadura Emergency Coordination Center fielded around 100 calls from individuals witnessing the flames and smoke. The firefighting operation under the Infoex Plan involved 44 personnel, supported by 11 aircraft, including two from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, alongside ground teams, environmental agents, and technical fire staff.