Benahavis Wildfire Under Control As Residents Return Home

Benahavis Wildfire Under Control As Residents Return Home. Plan INFOCA have declared the fire “controlled” and all residents have now returned to their homes.

Benahavis Wildfire Under Control As Residents Return Home

Emergency services have brought the wildfire near Benahavis under control, allowing evacuated residents to return home and lifting strict local safety restrictions. The fire, which broke out on Sunday 13th September in the Ermita del Rosario area, has destroyed an estimated 300 hectares of forest and scrubland.

Rapid Emergency Response

The blaze triggered an immediate multi agency response under Plan INFOCA, Andalusia’s regional emergency wildfire team. Due to strong easterly winds reaching and dry vegetation, regional authorities activated Emergency Level 1 and broadcasted an ES-Alert directly to residents’ mobile phones.

At its peak the firefighting effort involved:

Over 200 ground personnel from INFOCA and local municipal departments.
Up to 22 aerial units, including heavy water bombing helicopters and planes.
Heavy machinery and specialized ground transport to establish containment lines.

Benahavis fire seen from the main road on Sunday. Photo by Anna Dabrowski.

Safety Measures and Evacuations Lifted

As a precautionary measure during the height of the fire on Sunday and Monday, authorities ordered the temporary confinement of Benahavis town centre and nearby urbanizations, instructing residents to keep windows and doors closed to avoid heavy smoke inhalation. Approximately 50 residents in the nearby Monte Mayor urbanization were evacuated.

Three minor injuries were reported during the early response – including a firefighter who sustained a wrist injury and a person treated for smoke inhalation—but no homes or structural properties were destroyed thanks to perimeter defense lines.

Firefighters Still Battling Benahavís Blaze

Photo by Anna Debrowski

Ongoing Work

Although the fire is controlled INFOCA crews and local fire brigades remain on the ground to monitor hotspots, douse residual embers, and ensure no flare ups occur along the perimeter.

Emergency services advise locals and visitors in the area to remain cautious:

Follow official updates via Emergencias 112 Andalucía.
Keep clear of fire tracks and mountain roads surrounding Benahavís to allow emergency vehicles unhindered access.
Report new smoke plumes immediately by calling 112.