About 65 percent of the fires recorded this year in the province of Jaén during the high fire danger period, which runs from June 1 to October 8, have remained as small outbreaks. In total, out of 105 forest operations counted, 68 have been classified as small outbreaks and 37 as fires.
This was pointed out by the delegate of the Junta de Andalucía in Jaén, Erik Domínguez, who chaired the meeting of the Provincial Advisory Committee of the Infoca Plan after the high fire risk campaign was concluded.
"The quick and effective response and the coordination of the operatives that make up the EMA Infoca device have prevented larger incidents in most cases," the delegate emphasized.
Among the most notable incidents of this period, Domínguez highlighted the activation of operational situation 1 in the forest fire of Santa Elena, declared on July 1. Additionally, during these months, the Emergency Coordination Center 112 Andalucía has managed 2,046 reports related to agricultural and forest fires in the province.
The delegate also reminded that, although the high danger phase has ended, the province remains in a medium danger period until the end of October. Therefore, he insisted that "a prior authorization for burns in forest areas or areas of influence remains mandatory."
The National Police Unit attached to the autonomous community of Andalucía has investigated and clarified two fires in the province of Jaén, which have resulted in two people being arrested and investigated. At the same time, the agents have filed 72 complaints or proposals for sanctions for risky behaviors in forest areas.
In the evaluation session, the impact of "extreme and exceptional" weather conditions recorded both in Andalucía and throughout Spain as well as in other European countries has also been highlighted. According to Domínguez, this is "a new reality that forces the management to adapt to faster fires, prolonged emergencies, and simultaneous threats to the population."
To face this campaign, the EMA Infoca device has had in the province of Jaén the Provincial Operational Center, four Forest Defense Centers —Cazorla, Huelma, Navalcaballo, and Santa Elena— and three subcenters —La Toba, Las Ericas, and Caño Quebrado— as well as a landing strip in Beas de Segura and another in Lugar Nuevo.
In the section of technical resources and communications, the REJA Network has been made up of 254 broadcasters and 173 portable terminals. The province has also had 1,256 water intake points and 34 active surveillance posts.
Regarding aerial and ground means, the operation has had at its disposal a light amphibious plane based in Beas de Segura, two medium helicopters —located in Cazorla and Santa Elena—, one heavy helicopter in Huelma and another light one in Navalcaballo. To these means have been added 17 fire-fighting vehicles, two tanker trucks, and 195 vehicles intended for the transport of personnel.