Fire in Ibiza

Published 22 August 2010 Stephen White.

Tags: Beaches, Ibiza News

1500 people evacuated by boat

 

The picturesque cove of Benirras in the north of Ibiza was the scene of a devastating forest fire yesterday which destroyed around 100 hectares of pine woods. The blaze is now under control thanks to the efforts of Ibiza firemen aided by 100 troops from the Military Emergency Unit and 11 aircraft.

Declared as 'very serious,' the fire was one of the worst in recent years in all the Balearic Islands though only 3 people had to be treated for the effects of smoke inhalation and a total of 24 vehicles in the area were destroyed by the flames. Sources say that houses in the area were never in danger and only one was affected by the heat of the fire.

The main problem caused by the fire was that around 1500 people who were enjoying a Sunday on the beach at Benirras had to be evacuated by boat to nearby Puerto San Miguel as all exits by land from the beach had been cut off.

Obviously the cause of the fire will have to be investigated thoroughly but calls received by the emergency services yesterday mention a 'fiesta' and 'fire for cooking' which has led to speculation that the conflagration was started carelessly.

As of this time firemen are awaiting the arrival of two special aircraft from Madrid to complete the damping down process of the fire.

All of the fascinating photographs we've used are courtesy of Stephen Hare from estate agent www.buyinibiza.com.

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Comments...

Just wondering if anyone has been to the beach since the fire. Is it fine to go there or is it a bit depressing?
Posted by Harry Flowers on 29 August 2010

i think 'out of date' is a better term than inaccurate. at the time it was written the fire service stated that the fire was under control. the fire is affecting an area of 400 hectares - a fraction of ibiza's 571 square kilometres and unless anyone is booked into some out of the way villa in the area which has little if any hotel accommodation, they needn't worry.
Posted by stephen on 24 August 2010

This article is not accurate . They do not yet know if they have the fire under control ..... 17.00 24/08. and certainly did not by any means have it so when this was posted.. @ solkie ...depends where you are staying. The fire at present is affecting the top part of the island only but wind changes are the major factor.
Posted by heathibiza1 on 24 August 2010

Originally Posted by solkie:
(Mensaje 1339558)
Is it safe to go to Ibiza, fire under control? We leave tomorrow.
are you serious with that question ?
99,99% of ibiza is NOT affected.
Posted by icebaer69 on 24 August 2010

Posted by espuma_party on 24 August 2010

The fire just made the main BBC lunchtime news! It looked pretty bad on their pictures.
Posted by CharlieCharles on 24 August 2010

the area affected is minute in comparison to the rest of the island. if it wasn't for the newspapers i wouldn't know anything about the fire.
Posted by stephen on 24 August 2010

Is it safe to go to Ibiza, fire under control? We leave tomorrow.
Posted by solkie on 24 August 2010

If anyone hears about a sort of natural preserve/reforestation program for Benirras, please post it in the forums- I'm sure there are many people who find Benirras to be a special place and who will want to help return this area to its natural state (and to keep developers out!)
Posted by wfusteve on 24 August 2010

... and didn´t some criminal ****ers want to build many houses @ benirras ?
Posted by icebaer69 on 23 August 2010

The forest fires are nearly always human recklessness.
It might be hard to believe seeing as the island is like a tinder box in summer but there are plenty of people down here that throw cigarette butts out of car windows and do other stupid things.
I built a little wall for somebody on the San José-San Antonio road and was amazed by just how many cigarette butts there were all over the verge.
Posted by Warren D on 23 August 2010

Thankfully it seems no one was seriously injured.

If the rumours are proven to be correct and the fire started because of human recklessness then that is simply unforgivable.

It must have been quite terrifying for the people stuck on the beach.

I had been looking forward to chilling there in a couple of weeks time when I head out. :(
Posted by CharlieCharles on 23 August 2010
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