Forest fire near Segura River prompts aerial response and evacuations in Murcia

A fire broke out Saturday afternoon in the El Malecón area near La Arboleja, Murcia, igniting dry vegetation that had accumulated along the Segura River. The blaze forced the evacuation of dozens of residents and spread rapidly.

Four regional helicopters, a Ministry of Ecological Transition helicopter and a hydro‑plane from Castilla‑La Mancha were deployed to combat the flames. Local fire crews, including about twenty municipal firefighters and three forest‑fire brigades, assisted on the ground, while police cordoned off the area. An ambulance was on standby in case of injuries.

Authorities disputed responsibility for clearing the river margins, with the Confederación Hidrográfica del Segura and the Murcia city council each blaming the other. Residents described the area as a "bomba de relojería" (time bomb) due to the buildup of dry reeds and vegetation. The emergency centre reported that "según los avisos recibidos, el fuego se habría reavivado en una zona que ya había resultado afectada por otro incendio registrado al mediodía". Aerial units cannot operate at night, limiting night‑time suppression efforts.