Lorraine Williamson
A major firefighting operation is underway in Málaga province, where more than 200 firefighters and 22 aircraft have been deployed against a wildfire burning around Igualeja and Parauta.
The Junta de Andalucía has activated the emergency phase, operational situation 1, under the regional wildfire plan. Residents of both municipalities have been told to remain indoors because of heavy smoke, while around 50 people have been evacuated from businesses and other locations close to the advancing fire.
Strong winds drive unpredictable fire behaviour
The fire began at 10.19 pm on Saturday near the Mirador de Igualeja, in the Serranía de Ronda. Conditions deteriorated through Sunday as strong, and rapidly changing winds complicated attempts to contain the flames.
Antonio Sanz, Andalucía’s regional minister responsible for emergencies, said on Sunday afternoon that gusts were reaching 60km/h and changing direction repeatedly. The conditions have caused secondary outbreaks and made the direction of the fire difficult to predict.
There was, however, some more encouraging news in the latest assessment. Sanz said at around 5.00 pm that the changing wind was currently taking the fire away from populated areas, although he urged caution while the emergency remained active.
Igualeja and Parauta remain confined
Residents of Igualeja were ordered to remain indoors early on Sunday, with neighbouring Parauta later placed under the same restrictions as smoke accumulated across the area.
An ES-Alert was sent to phones in Parauta shortly after midday, telling residents to close doors and windows, avoid unnecessary journeys, and pay particular attention to children, older people, and those with respiratory conditions.
Emergency services have also asked people to stay away from the affected area and keep roads clear for firefighting and emergency vehicles.
Around 50 people evacuated as fire approaches road
Around 50 people have been evacuated from roadside businesses and other locations, including Venta El Navasillo, Venta La Laja, and a nearby petrol station. A civic centre in Ronda has been prepared to receive evacuees if required.
The situation became sufficiently dangerous during the afternoon for the advanced firefighting command post itself to be moved rapidly when a secondary outbreak approached its location.
The A-397 between Ronda and San Pedro de Alcántara has also been closed because of the fire. The MA-7304 remains affected, along with other local routes, as emergency crews work across the area.
More than 200 firefighters and 22 aircraft deployed
The scale of the response has increased considerably since the fire began on Saturday night. More than 200 forest firefighters are now involved, supported by specialist teams, fire engines, and emergency units.
As many as 22 aerial resources have been mobilised, including helicopters, water-bombing aircraft, and amphibious planes. Guardia Civil and firefighters from the Málaga provincial consortium are also supporting the operation.
The fire is burning close to the Sierra de las Nieves National Park. However, authorities have not confirmed that the protected national park itself has been affected, and the A-397 currently separates the fire from the park.
Cause of wildfire remains unknown
Authorities have not yet established how the fire started. Sanz cautioned against speculation while investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the outbreak.
There has also been no definitive official assessment yet of the total area burned. Local reporting has suggested more than 350 hectares may have been affected, but InSpain.news is awaiting an official figure before treating that estimate as confirmed.
For now, the priority remains containing the fire while winds remain unpredictable. Residents in Igualeja and Parauta should continue following instructions from Andalucía’s emergency authorities, even though the latest assessment indicates the flames are moving away from populated areas.