In brief
Detected by a lookout at 5:17 p.m. on 24 July, the fire burned approximately 60 hectares by early evening, spreading from agricultural land to some chalets near Puertollano road and the AVE line.
The village of Retamar was ordered to stay indoors; the N-420 and CM-4115 highways were cut to protect residents.
The Plan INFOCAM raised the fire to level 1, deploying 62 personnel (forest firefighters and environmental agents), three air assets, and thirteen ground units.
The fire was declared controlled shortly before midnight on 24 July, according to the regional government.
- 17:17Fire detected by lookout in Brazatortas, Ciudad Real.
- EveningEmergency level raised to 1; Retamar confined, N-420 and CM-4115 roads closed, 60 hectares burned.
- MidnightFire controlled by extinguishing services.
Fire outbreak
On Friday, 24 July, a wildfire ignited in the municipality of Brazatortas, Ciudad Real, in central Spain. A fixed lookout detected the first flames at 5:17 p.m. The fire began in agricultural land but the flames quickly moved into scrubland and reached several chalets along the road leading to Puertollano. The blaze also threatened the Madrid–Seville AVE high-speed train line. By around 8 p.m., the regional government estimated that approximately 60 hectares had been burned. The rapid spread prompted a swift escalation of the emergency response.
Emergency response and confinement
As the fire advanced, the Plan INFOCAM raised the alert to Level 1. An Es-Alert message was sent to mobile phones in Retamar, a pedanía of Almodóvar del Campo, ordering residents to stay indoors, close doors and windows, and lower blinds. Authorities also closed the N-420 and CM-4115 highways to keep traffic out of the danger zone. The viceconsejero de Medio Ambiente of Castilla-La Mancha, José Almodóvar, described the situation:
“It has occurred in an agricultural area but has come to affect some chalets, affecting the road to Puertollano and the AVE line.”
He stressed that the confinement measure was in place until the fire could be controlled and urged the public to follow official instructions and call 112 in emergencies.
The firefighting deployment began with 32 personnel, two air assets and six ground units. As the fire evolved, reinforcements lifted the total to 62 personnel (forest firefighters and environmental agents), supported by three air assets and thirteen ground vehicles. The crews worked through the late afternoon and evening, building firebreaks and protecting homes and the railway corridor.
Containment
Throughout Friday night, firefighters continued their work, and shortly before midnight the blaze was declared controlled. The confinement order for Retamar was lifted and the road closures were rescinded. No injuries or fatalities were reported. Authorities are now assessing the damage to the affected chalets and the transport infrastructure that was threatened.