Friday, March 29

Navarra controls the Carcastillo fire with its own resources

After the great fires of June, Navarra returns to a fire alert situation. At 5:30 p.m. this Monday, the fire originated in an area of ​​pine forests in Carcastillo, south of the regional community, near Aragón and 70 kilometers from Pamplona. Despite the fact that at first support was requested from the Military Emergency Unit (UME), as well as from Navarran, Aragonese and Spanish Government air forces, finally, “given the evolution of the fire and the mobilization of resources carried out , their intervention has not been necessary”, as reported by 112, the official source that is updating the data since the fire was declared. The vice president, Javier Remírez, has already joined the crisis table, which will be installed at the scene itself. At the end of this Monday the fire remains active and the weather forecasts suggest that in the next few hours the force of the wind will subside, which by cooling and increasing its humidity would provide more favorable conditions to work on stabilizing the fire, according to reports the Government of Navarre.

The weather forecast in Navarra for today, tomorrow and the day after

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In addition to the support of the UME, the State has been asked to mobilize a brigade against forest fires stationed in Soria, a total of four planes and four helicopters. Previously, two amphibious planes, a cargo plane on the ground, a coordinating plane and three helicopters, two from Navarra and one loaned by Aragón, were already in the area. By late afternoon, seven fire stations had been mobilized to the area, from Cordobilla, Peralta, Estella, Lodosa, Sangüesa, Tafalla and Tudela. Tractor drivers in the area also collaborate by making firebreaks and clearing land and the Red Cross has mobilized an ambulance and carries out supplies, along with volunteers from Milagro’s Civil Protection.


Although it is early to know the scope of the event, it is known that it has already caused some road closures (for example, the NA-128, between Carcastillo and Figarol). The AEMET and government sources consulted indicate that “there are streaks [de viento] strong in the area” that complicate the management of the operation. It is a “northwesterly component” wind and there is a “thermal inversion layer at about 2,000 meters.”

The risk of fire predicted by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) was extreme for this Monday in practically all of Navarra, although there were no weather alerts due to high temperatures in the foral community. As indicated, it was necessary to avoid any activity that could cause fires. In the event of a forest fire, it is recommended, if it is small, to attack it at the base of the flames by pouring water, earth or suffocating it with tree branches. It advises moving away from the fire through the areas devoid of vegetation, down the hill or along the sides. Never move upwards and always move in the opposite direction to the wind, do not go towards ravines or hollows without exit.

The population that may be near the fire is recommended to protect their respiratory tract and not get tired. If it is not possible to escape from the fire, it is pointed out that it is necessary to find a clearing or already burned area, dig a hole, lie face down and cover, especially the head, with earth or wet clothing. In addition, it is requested to put out the matches well and not to throw them out of the car windows, not to leave bottles or glass objects in the field, light fires only in authorized places and prepared for it, and only if the weather conditions are favourable, as well like making sure to douse it well with water and cover it with soil.





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