The forest fire that started on Saturday, April 29th in the vicinity of Cala Llebeig between Benitachell and Teulada was stabilized by 8am yesterday. The flames engulfed some 18 hectares of land.
At 3am on Sunday morning, Teulada Moraira City Council, informed those people with homes near the fire, who had been evacuated as a precaution, that they could return to their homes, except in the streets of Puerto del Barquero, Puerto de Béjar, Puerto Llano , Puerto Hondo and Puerto del Rey.
80 ground troops kept working through the night consolidating the perimeter. In addition, drone surveillance flights were carried out to detect hot spots in the affected area and possible reproductions. The night work has made it possible to confirm that there were no significant incidents.
At about 20:00 hours on Sunday firefighters removed the Advanced Command Post (PMA) installed for the control and management of extinguishing work.
Facebook posts by nearby residents indicated that it is possible that the fire was started by fireworks which were said to have been set off in the area during that evening.
Throughout the night, The Marina Alta Fire Alerts group, headed by Jo Howard, were doing an amazing job in keeping people up to date with developments. If you have not joined this group yet, you can find the page at :-https://www.facebook.com/groups/298628701951491
Jo has now set up a database for people to register and offer accomodation assistance in the event of another similar situation in the future necessitating the evacuation of property. If you can help in such times, please tell Jo ( in strictest confidence) – details below.
The following article complied by Jill Leonard from the Local Weather and Firewatch group a few years ago is worth reading – just in case!
