Overview
- A fast-moving wildfire that began on Thursday near Almocáizar in Los Gallardos burned about 7,000 hectares and created a perimeter of more than 40 kilometres before officials declared it stabilised on Sunday.
- Regional authorities authorised a staggered return of roughly 1,000 evacuees this Sunday while keeping an operational firefighting presence to prevent new outbreaks.
- Search teams of about 100 operatives conducted a large coordinated ground sweep of 217 hectares and found no further victims during the main batida, but forensic identification and follow-up searches continue for people still listed as not located.
- Investigators are treating a fallen power pole or cable in Almocáizar as the leading hypothesis for the origin of the blaze while Endesa inspects and progressively re-energises damaged distribution infrastructure that may include private, abandoned lines.
- The Military Emergency Unit will remain deployed for as long as needed and relief offices will open Monday to coordinate aid, assess damage to homes and roads, and begin repairs as Spain copes with multiple simultaneous fires this weekend.