Stark reminder from INFOCA – “What took a lifetime to build burns in seconds”

Malaga Provincial Council, as much of Europe struggles with the worst forest fires ever recorded in history, has launched a public awareness campaign urgently to prevent forest blazes in the region. 

As temperatures rise, the Provincial Firefighters’ Consortium is more likely to experience fires.

Manuel Marmolejo is the head of Security and Emergencies. He stressed that it was important for everyone to be vigilant and to work together. Wildfires are a grave threat to people’s lives and their homes. Marmolejo, during a recent press conference, said that they had coordinated with Infoca Plan in order to combat fires at Montecorto de Algaidas and Villanueva de Algaidas. Both fires were quickly out of control, but Marmolejo stated that the 400 recorded incidents accounted 12 percent of all 3,445 interventions by the fire department in 2024.

INFOCA’s “We must not let our guard down” is a stark reminder

Marmolejo has expressed cautious optimism despite the continued risk. A 10 percent decrease in fire probabilities over the past two year was attributed by Marmolejo to heavy spring rainfalls in 2023, in 2024, and in early 2025. “We have been lucky with a rainy, wet spring. But the current drought and high temperatures make it impossible to relax our guard,” he said. Already in 2025 184 wildfires were recorded. This represents a significant improvement from the 2021-2022 period, where wildfires, such as devastating blazes on Sierra Bermeja or Sierra de Mijas made up 20 percent of interventions.

The campaign “What took a life time to build burns within seconds” urges residents in rural areas to take safety precautions: refrain from using barbecues and avoid spark-generating activities. Marmolejo said that “people ignore recommendations” despite the fact that these guidelines are part of Infoca Plan. He suggested calling 112 and 085 as soon as you see smoke. If the fire is severe, seek open areas like riverbeds. You can also use a damp cloth to avoid inhaling smoke.

New fire station for Pizarra and Sierra de las Nieves

To back up firefighting efforts, Malaga’s Provincial Council is currently operating 13 fire stations, with a 14th planned for Álora-Pizarra in 2026, strategically located near the highly vulnerable Sierra de las Nieves. The Consortium maintains over 100 vehicles, and nearly 400 firefighters.

Malaga has taken proactive measures, but this campaign still reminds us of the stark contrast between the rest of Europe where wildfires have ravaged landscapes and there is an urgent need to prepare and prevent in the face of a growing threat.