ROCKETS FROM FIESTA CAUSE OUTBREAK OF FIRE

There have been many public warnings this year about the high risk of forest fires. The authorities have called for extreme caution in what is proving to be one of the most difficult summers in the fight against fire.

Current legislation prohibits the holding of barbecues in forested areas but it mostly ignores the use of rockets and fireworks at the many summer festivals held across the region which, only last Saturday, caused a serious outbreak of fires in Darrica in the Alcolea region.

At about 9.30 pm as a large group of worshippers were marching toward the local church. A number of revelers set off fireworks and rockets which they launched toward the local forest. But they misjudged the distance that the rockets were able to travel and instead of falling short they travelled into the woodland dropping down amongst the dried out trees.

Although the flames spread to within a few yards of local housing the mayor of Alcolea, Cristóbal Baños, said that many people were very frightened as they watched the flames spread but they were all very fortunate as the river served as a firewall for their properties.

It is for this very reason that the Mediterranean Ecologist Group (GEM) has asked the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment to ban the use of rockets and fireworks in towns and all other areas that are situated close to forests, bush or woodland to avoid such situations.

“During the summer, particularly one so dry as this, any spark or any fire automatically becomes an obvious risk of fire, given the severe drought that we are undergoing. Once it has caught the fire then progresses very rapidly and it becomes almost impossible to control, “says a spokesman for the group.

“Fires caused by rockets during the summer festivals are relatively common and completely avoidable. We believe that people understand the restriction of such a move, at least during the driest months.”

Following the fire in Darrical, as well as many other similar incidents that occurred throughout the province, the Provincial Delegation of the Environment have now sent a new message to municipalities. Delegate, Jose Manuel Ortiz, has sent a letter to a dozen municipalities, all of which will be celebrating festivals in the coming days. “Please be advised that you must be very cautious,” he wrote. “We have recommended that you do not light rockets, especially if you are situated near to forested areas. It is a dry month and we all have to be very careful, “said Ortiz.