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A forest fire is raging in Cartagena this Friday August 22. Just after 2pm, the 112 Emergency Services received a call about a fire near the Cuestas del Cedacero, located between Cartagena and La Azohía.

 

Cartagena municipal firefighters, including forestry brigades and helicopters, were dispatched to the scene immediately.

 

Videos are circulating on social media showing that the fire, in addition to sending up a huge plume of black smoke, has split into several smaller blazes and is spreading to the slopes of the surrounding mountains, along with nearby scrubland.

 

The fire is causing traffic jams on the descent from Perín, near the former La Vieja Hacienda hall.

 

This isn’t the first fire to hit this mountainous area of the municipality. A similar blaze occurred on August 29, 2019.

 

After the heavy rain back in March, many roads in the western part of the municipality ended up lined with overgrown brush and tall, dry grass. On June 13, firefighters were called to Cabo Tiñoso to tackle a fire that ignited overnight. Fortunately, this time the damage was limited to just 155 square metres of forest, but the risk remains high.

 

The Cedacero hills are a familiar stop for Cartagena residents with second homes along the western coast. The area, close to La Muela and Cabo Tiñoso Natural Park, is crossed by the E-22 highway, which is managed by the regional government and connects towns in the Perín district with La Azohía.

 

This road has needed frequent repairs due to subsidence issues that have at times threatened vehicle safety.

 

Image: @meteo_sureste