Wildfire smoke alarm reaches Costa del Sol

A plume of thick smoke from wildfires in Portugal, Huelva, or Extremadura reached the Costa del Sol. The alarm was raised and local emergency services were contacted.

Since early Tuesday morning, August 19, a dense fog has blanketed the western Costa del Sol, as well as municipalities in inland Malaga. The residents were worried by the smell of burning, and the reduced visibility. Town halls were forced to make statements in response to the influx of inquiries to calm local residents’ concerns.

Montecorto town hall made it clear that the smoke suspended in the air was caused by wildfires burning in Portugal, Huelva and Extremadura. “There are no fires around us.”

Wildfires in the area have prompted some local authorities into taking this threat more seriously. Malaga, Benalmadena and other councils in Spain have announced measures to immediately cut back the overgrown grasses and scrubland around housing estates.

Satellite images clearly show the smoke column spreading across western Iberia. Similar concerns have arisen in mountainous areas of Huelva, Seville, and Cádiz, including Ubrique, Zahara de la Sierra, and Grazalema.

Some regions, like Castilla y León, have activated precautionary protocols, advising residents to avoid strenuous outdoor activities due to high levels of suspended particles. The weather services predict that this situation will last until the wind patterns shift. Authorities remind residents to call 112 if they see plumes of smoke, or a fire. This will activate emergency response protocols.