ARCHIVED - 1st June: Cooking points in Sierra Espuña close as summer fire risk increases

As a temporary measure the picnic areas have been cordoned off completely due to the impossibility of disinfecting them

NB: The regional fire service put out a note this morning reminding the public that the BBQs were closed and thenm later in the morning Totana town hall issued another note saying that they were temporarily closing all BBQ and picnic points altogether due to the Covid situation.

From June 1st onwards it is prohibited to light fires or BBQs for cooking in the regional parks and the BBQ points in the two areas of the Sierra Espuña, namely those of El Grifo and El Ángel, are now closed until the autumn rains begin.

80% of forest fires are caused by human intervention; either deliberately or accidentally, and "negligence " is the principal cause. As well as prohibiting the use of cooking points, it is also prohibited to burn agricultural prunings during this period without a specific license.

From 1st June the regional forestry fire prevention plan, Plan Infomur swings into action, with increased aerial vigilance and patrols from within the regional parks to ensure that any forest fires are detected quickly and prevented from spreading.

The ban on using any type of wood or charcoal fire is technically in place between 1st June and the end of September, but is reviewed at that point and providing fire services are happy that the risk of fire has diminished, will be lifted from the beginning of October. It can be extended should the risk level remain high due to the absence of rain.

The BBQs are cordoned off  by environmental agents who undertake an intensive vigilance programme during the hotter months.

The use of gas cooking implements is only permitted during June and September with the permission of the authorities and in a controlled environment, ie for fiestas etc, so it's safer for the general public to take it as read that no cooking is permitted in the natural park until the ban is lifted in the autumn.

At the moment the whole of the picnic areas have been closed off due to the Covid crisis and the impossibility of disinfecting the areas after each use, so walkers will just have to take their own picnic or enjoy the hospitality of local basr and restaurants until further notice. 

The situation will be reviewed after the state of emergency concludes.

Click for more information about visiting the Sierra Espuña