Wildfire near Córdoba forces evacuation of 215 residents after straw truck catches fire on N-432
A truck loaded with straw ignited on the N-432 highway near Cerro Muriano, Córdoba, on Friday afternoon, sparking a fast-moving wildfire that prompted the evacuation of 215 people and a large-scale air and ground response.
Origin of the fire
A wildfire erupted on Friday 24 July after a truck carrying straw caught fire at kilometre 256 of the N-432 motorway, in the direction of Badajoz. Flames spread rapidly into dense vegetation, driven by wind gusts of up to 30 kilometres per hour, double the usual speed for the area. The Andalusian regional government and Guardia Civil confirmed it was a topographic fire advancing uphill through the Sierra Morena foothills.
- Fire declared after truck catches fire at km 256 of the N-432
- Emergency phase, operational situation 1, activated under Plan Infoca
- Authorities say the worst danger has passed as the fire heads toward dehesa pastureland
Evacuations and safety
Preventive evacuations were ordered for the Villa Sanjurjo and Villa Alicia estates, along with the Villa San Jorge and Mirador de Media Andalucía developments. The total number of displaced people reached 215, according to the vice-president and councillor of the Presidency, Health and Emergencies, Antonio Sanz. The Córdoba city council opened the Cerro Muriano civic centre to shelter those forced to leave their homes.
It wasn't an evacuation per se, but a distancing.
Firefighting deployment
The Plan Infoca response escalated to emergency phase, operational situation 1, at 16:58, just over two hours after the fire was first reported at 14:39. A force of 145 personnel was deployed, supported by eight pumpers, three bulldozers, a medical unit and a meteorology and transmissions unit. The aerial fleet comprised 21 aircraft: six ground-loading planes, four light amphibious aircraft, two coordination planes, one light helicopter, six semi-heavy helicopters and two heavy helicopters.
Flank control and dangerous moments
Sanz acknowledged “there were moments of danger” but noted that the worst had passed by early evening. Firefighters concentrated on the left flank with heavy machinery to stop the head of the fire from approaching Cerro Muriano, while retardant and foam were applied on multiple fronts. The wind remained westerly, pushing the flames away from populated areas and into dehesa pastureland, which the mayor of Córdoba, José María Bellido, and the provincial president, Salvador Fuentes, described as “the best scenario we could hope for.”
The fire is very complicated, but its evolution allows us to be more optimistic than during the afternoon.
Transport disruption and outlook
The N-432 remained open with alternating traffic after the right lane in the Badajoz direction was cut, while the N-432a was fully closed at kilometre 255. Secondary hot spots were reported within a two-kilometre radius, but with lighter fuel now feeding the fire, crews aimed to use the last hours of daylight to consolidate containment lines. No injuries have been reported.
