Fires in Ávila: UME activates alert due to increase in caused fires.

The situation of wildfires in the province of Ávila has led the Military Emergency Unit (UME) to activate an alert following a notable increase in "deliberate" fires in the region, as reported by the autonomous community. The area around the Sierra de Gredos has become a focal point, in a context where prevention and rapid response to fires are more crucial than ever. During a recent visit to the UME facilities in Torrejón de Ardoz, Defense Minister Margarita Robles emphasized the importance of this situation and announced that the UME has 1,400 military personnel ready to combat the fires. Although this year's wildfire campaign has shown more encouraging figures than in previous years, with the number of fires and burned area below the average of the last decade, the threat of deliberate fires remains latent. The UME has intervened in seven wildfires to date, deploying a total of 880 military personnel and 274 vehicles. Fires in training fields have been particularly significant, with operations in places like Chinchilla, Toledo, and Córdoba, where hundreds of personnel have been mobilized to control the flames. However, the challenge persists, especially in regions where rapid intervention becomes crucial. At the national level, the UME has responded to fires requested by various autonomous communities. In total, deployments have been made in Cuenca, Alicante, Toledo, and Aragón, highlighting the collaboration between the military unit and the autonomous communities in the fight against fire. Battalion chiefs and tactical subgroups have underscored the importance of this cooperation and have praised the quick activation of resources in critical situations. One of the most concerning aspects of the current campaign is the rise in deliberate fires, especially in Ávila. The UME has reported an increase in the detection of such incidents, leading to greater focus on surveillance and prevention. In a related development, Canary Islands authorities have reported the arrest of three arsonists, underscoring the need for more effective measures against these criminal acts. Although the overall situation regarding fires has been less severe than in previous years, the weather forecasts are not entirely promising. The State Meteorological Agency has warned that the coming months could be warmer and drier than usual, which could increase the risk of fires. In response, the UME is committed to maintaining constant monitoring of weather conditions and fire behavior. This year's wildfire fighting campaign began on June 1, an earlier start compared to previous years, and will extend until September 30, although monitoring is expected to continue until mid-October. This advance planning aims to optimize the response to any eventuality that may arise. In terms of logistics, the UME has been preparing its personnel to respond effectively to emergencies, ensuring they have the necessary resources to tackle different types of fires. The unit has highlighted that the moisture in the vegetation has helped reduce the virulence of the fires, although the nature of some fires, such as sixth-generation fires, continues to pose a significant challenge. Collaboration between the UME, the autonomous communities, and other emergency bodies is essential to ensure the safety and protection of forest environments. All involved parties have reaffirmed their commitment to work together to minimize the impact of fires and protect the affected areas. Finally, the UME calls on the public to be aware of the importance of fire prevention and individual responsibility in environmental conservation. Collaboration and respect for nature are essential to face these challenges that, although less severe compared to previous years, remain a real threat to biodiversity and the safety of our environment.