Casares holds major wildfire emergency drill

Casares will be conducting a major wildfire exercise today to test their response systems in the case of a real forest blaze. More than 100 professionals, including firemen, police officers, medical teams, Civil Protection units and volunteers, are involved in the drill.

Junta de Andalucia leads the simulation via the Emergency Agency of Andalucia. The simulation began early this morning, near the Celimas Urbanisation. A mock fire had been reported in an area of woods close to houses. The scenario assumes that southeast winds will push the flames toward Casares Pueblo creating a dangerous situation.

In this drill, authorities have issued an simulated confinement for Casares and the surrounding area, which affects more than 3400 people. Alerts are sent to the phones of residents via the Es-Alert, or 112 inverted. Officials remind citizens that it is just a drill. There is no danger.

Operation also includes temporary relocation of residents vulnerable from El Jaral as well as responding to simulated events such as smoke inhalation and anxiety attacks. Road closures are also included, as is a power line that’s threatened by fire.

This exercise, which is part of Infoca’s emergency plan, aims at strengthening coordination, testing equipment, and improving real-time response among agencies. This is an excellent opportunity to prepare Casares and its residents for the high-risk wildfires season that will be coming up.