A fire that originated last Friday in Galarreta, Álava, due to a lightning strike, has reignited early Tuesday morning after firefighters had declared it extinguished on Saturday. Adverse weather conditions, including extreme heat, southern winds, and very dry terrain, have re-ignited the flames on Mount Milpiribil, necessitating the deployment of a large operation now battling multiple outbreaks.
Approximately 50 personnel, including firefighters, forest brigades, and agricultural staff, are working in the area. Reinforcements have been requested from Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa, and other communities, in addition to mobilizing aerial resources from the Basque Country, Navarre, La Rioja, and national agencies. The initial objective of declaring the fire controlled was thwarted overnight when a wind shift caused the flames to breach the safety perimeter.
Extinguishing efforts face a complex scenario. The fire is located in a rugged mountainous area with ravines at over 1,100 meters in altitude, where ground access can take up to 45 minutes. This difficulty has been a key factor in the fire's spread, which has now reached a new pine forest.
The Deputy for Governance and head of firefighters in Álava, Iñaki Gurtubai, explained that the weather conditions are very unfavorable, with winds up to 50 km/h and extremely high temperatures. Despite this, he does not rule out that the fire could be controlled today thanks to the significant human and material deployment. The main objective, according to Gurtubai, is "to re-perimeter the fire so that it is finally extinguished."
“"The weather is not helping, but we will compensate with personal and material resources"
The head of firefighters noted that, fortunately, the fire's upward advance halted upon reaching a grassy area. "The weather is not helping, but we will compensate with personal resources, material resources, and the work of the people, which I believe is being fantastic," stated Gurtubai.
The mayor of Zalduondo, Lourdes Lekuona, expressed the residents' sadness at seeing the mountain burn, while also conveying a message of calm by confirming that the flames do not threaten the population centers of Galarreta or Zalduondo. Although the fire affects the municipality of Galarreta, the operations center has been established in Zalduondo.
“"It is being experienced with great pain, because the mountain is burning"
Lekuona described the residents' feelings: "It is being experienced with great pain, because the mountain is burning." The mayor highlighted the general surprise at the reactivation of a fire believed to be extinguished and confirmed that an incident "of this magnitude" had not been remembered in the area in recent years. The local council is providing logistical support to all firefighting personnel.
