The Junta of Castilla y León decreed this Wednesday the maximum level (2) of the Potential Severity Index (IGR) for the forest fire affecting the municipality of Fermoselle (Zamora), a locality in the Arribes del Duero natural park bordering Portugal, due to the serious risk it may pose to the population. As a consequence of this fire, the localities of Cibanal, Formariz, Fornillos de Fermoselle, Palazuelos de Sayago, Pinilla de Fermoselle, Mámoles, and Záfara have been evacuated, in addition to decreeing confinement in Fermoselle, according to confirmation from the 112 of Castilla y León. An alert has been sent via mobile phones with an Es-Alert message.
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According to sources from the 112 Emergency Service of Castilla y León and the community’s Civil Protection, the evacuated localities are Cibanal (69 inhabitants), Formariz (70 inhabitants), Fornillos de Fermoselle (46), Palazuelo de Sayago (74), Pinilla de Fermoselle (37), Mámoles (32), and Zafara (44), totaling 372 registered inhabitants, although their population multiplies at this time of year due to the arrival of vacationers. An operation is being prepared in Bermillo de Sayago to assist the evacuees.
Firefighting efforts for this fire have so far mobilized around forty firefighting resources, including two technicians, nine environmental agents, ten crews, four of them helitransported, four fire engines, three machinery crews, six aerial means, and five provincial firefighter teams and external resources to the operation.
The fire started for reasons not yet determined around one in the afternoon this Wednesday south of the town of Fermoselle and forced the declaration of level two an hour and fifteen minutes later. The incident affects an undetermined area of woodland, scrub, pasture, and agricultural land.
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The Director General of Forest Fire Prevention and Extinction, Ángel Sánchez, explained that the priorities of the operation are to consolidate the fire perimeter and prevent possible flare-ups, especially during the hours of greatest risk due to rising temperatures and the forecast of wind gusts of up to 30 or 35 kilometers per hour.
As detailed in statements collected by Ical, thermal camera drones were used during the night to “surgically” locate the heat points that remained active within the perimeter, allowing immediate action on them. At the same time, heavy machinery worked on reinforcing the perimeter to prevent any flare-ups from escaping the already affected area.
Ángel Sánchez also specified that the smoke in the area is not hindering the work of aerial resources, which can operate normally in firefighting efforts.
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