ARCHIVED - Investigation reveals local farmer caused the wildfire that threatened Camposol this summer

The Guardia Civil confirm a farmer is under investigation for the fire in El Saladillo, Mazarrón

A farmer is under investigation accused of the alleged crime of causing the wildfire that burned more than 40 hectares of forest and vegetation and was due to a short circuit caused by polythene remains from a greenhouse when it came into contact with overhead power lines.

On October 25, the Guardia Civil of the Region of Murcia completed an investigation to ascertain the source of the forest fire that occurred in El Saladillo, Mazarrón, on the southern boundary of the Camposol development. Inquiries concluded with the clarification of the causes that started the fire and with the identification, location and investigation of a farmer, against whom proceedings have been instigated as the alleged perpetrator of the crime of starting a forest fire.

The events took place in July of last summer in the area of ​​El Saladillo, in the municipality of Mazarrón, where a fire started destroying a total of 41.71 hectares of fine, dry and short grass that extensively cover the ground.

The Forestry Fire Brigade (BRIFOR), Environmental Agents, the Helicopter Brigade, four fire crews, eight aerial vehicles, with a total of 18 motorised pumps, helped to extinguish the fire.

Once the fire was put out, SEPRONA the environmental division of the Civil Guard, with the collaboration of the Brigade for the Investigation of Environmental Crimes (BRIDA), arrived at the affected area to carry out an exhaustive technical-ocular inspection, which made it possible to verify that the fire originated as a result of a short circuit in the electrical cables caused by coming into contact with the remains of a greenhouse.

Specifically, this was due to the large plastic sheeting which had come into contact with the cables and had been entangled in the power line. Remains of greenhouse sheeting, approximately 10 metres long and one metre wide, were found still wrapped around the power line.

The exhaustive visual inspection carried out made it possible to locate where the fire originated, about 150 metres from the power lines there is an operating greenhouse, covered in white mesh with tomato crops inside and the same type of plastic was stored in the vicinity of the greenhouse that had caused a forest fire.

The investigations carried out by the Civil Guard SEPRONA made it possible to determine the direct involvement of the company that manages the agricultural work as the origin of the fire, observing that the greenhouse was very close to the power line where the fire started and that on the afternoon in question when the events occurred, there were gusts of wind of 39km/h from the southeast, which coincided with the trajectory where the electrical tower was located, confirming that the plastic that caused the fire came from the plastics that were stored on the farm.

The weather conditions that occurred on the day of the events, such as the high temperature and low humidity, initiated the short circuit caused by the cables that had been entangled in the plastic when it came into contact with the power lines and the fire spread out of control.

The inquiry culminated in the identification, location and investigation of a farmer, who has been accused as the alleged perpetrator of an accidental forest fire crime.

Starting a forest fire is a crime

In the Criminal Code, its article on the crime of forest fire states the punishment for those who cause fires in mountains or forest masses could be prison sentences of 1 to 5 years and a fine of 12 to 18 months’ salary.

Details of the investigation, along with the proceedings that followed, have been made available to the Investigating Court of Totana (Murcia).

Preventions to avoid forest fires

Keep in mind that high temperatures increase the risk of forest fires, so extreme precautions must be taken.

It is forbidden to light fires or bonfires in the mountains and nearby land.

In the event of being confronted by a forest fire, avoid entering the mountain or forest area, always move to areas of greater visibility and free of flammable objects.

In the case of a forest fire emergency, always follow the instructions of the responsible authorities.

If you discover a forest fire starting, call 062 immediately.

Camp only in authorised areas, since these have protection measures against a possible fire and evacuation is easier.

Avoid throwing cigarettes, rubbish and especially glass bottles, which have a magnifying effect with the sun. Negligence causes the majority of forest fires.

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Images: Guardia Civil