Calanas, Spain - August 28, 2024

A significant wildfire broke out in the La Torerera area of Calanas at approximately 7:04 PM local time on Wednesday, prompting a rapid response from Spain's Plan Infoca, the regional firefighting and forest protection agency. The cause of the fire remains undisclosed.

Initially, the firefighting effort included two helicopters—one light and one medium—and two ground-loading aircraft, supported by four forest firefighter teams, two operations technicians, an environmental agent, and two fire trucks. However, as the fire showed no signs of abating and with nightfall approaching, the operation was escalated.

By 8:15 PM, the aerial support was significantly bolstered with the addition of seven aircraft—four for ground loading, two light amphibious planes, and one for coordination—along with three helicopters of varying capacities. On the ground, the response team was reinforced with four additional forest firefighter groups, two reinforcement brigades, three more operations technicians, another environmental agent, and specialized equipment including a bulldozer, an analysis unit, and a medical unit.

The deployment of such extensive resources underscores the severity of the situation, with authorities working tirelessly to contain the blaze before it could spread further under the cover of darkness. The increased activity and resources reflect the urgency and the strategic approach to firefighting in Spain, where wildfires have become an increasingly frequent challenge due to climate conditions.

Residents and authorities in the region are on high alert, with local officials likely preparing for potential evacuations or further support measures if the fire continues to pose a threat.