Lightning strikes spark multiple wildfire alerts across Murcia during Sunday storms

Firefighters and helicopters were deployed after lightning strikes ignited vegetation in Moratalla and Lorca

Fire in Cerro María, Lorca 

The thunderstorms that swept across parts of the Region of Murcia on Sunday June 28 brought little relief from the intense heat and instead triggered a series of wildfire alerts after lightning strikes ignited vegetation in Moratalla and Lorca.

The electrical activity accompanying the storms kept emergency services busy throughout the afternoon, with several fire outbreaks reported in a short space of time. Personnel from the regional INFOMUR emergency plan, forestry brigades, Civil Protection volunteers and firefighters were all mobilised to prevent the incidents from spreading.

The first alert was received at around 5pm in the Los Granadicos area of Moratalla, where a lightning strike sparked a forest fire. An environmental officer, a forestry brigade, forest rangers from Moratalla Town Hall and Civil Protection personnel were dispatched to the scene and quickly began work to contain the blaze.

Just over an hour later, emergency services were called to a second fire caused by lightning on the slopes of the Sierra del Buitre mountain range, also in Moratalla. The response was stepped up with the deployment of a helicopter alongside forestry brigades, Civil Protection teams and officers from the Moratalla Local Police.

Burned land in the Sierra del Buitre 

Firefighters from the Regional Fire and Rescue Consortium (CEIS) reported that the fire was brought under control by around 7pm. Although the affected area was relatively small, the blaze damaged one pine tree and approximately 30 square metres of forest land.

The storms continued to create problems across the Region and only 20 minutes after the Sierra del Buitre alert, the 112 Emergency Coordination Centre received reports of another suspected lightning-caused fire. This time the incident occurred in the Cerro María area of Lorca.

A helicopter and heliborne forestry brigade were immediately dispatched to investigate and tackle the outbreak before it had the opportunity to spread.

Images: @defensaforeMUR