Murcia deploys UME over Espuña wildfire and urges closer coordination

Published on 02/06/2026 - 19:23 GMT+2•Updated 20:37

The wildfire that broke out in the Sierra de Espuña, in the interior of the province of Murcia, has prompted the activation of an emergency operation and put the Military Emergencies Unit (UME) on alert, due to the risk that strong gusts of wind could make it harder to bring under control. The regional president, Fernando López Miras, has said that the unit will remain on standby in case a rapid intervention is needed should the situation deteriorate.

For his part, the central government’s delegate in Murcia, Francisco Lucas, has confirmed that the deployment of the UME has already been authorised and that several units are heading for the affected area. “Resources are on their way,” he said, while stressing the need to step up institutional coordination and calling for the immediate involvement of the Emergency Coordination Centre.

The fire broke out at 11:42 in the area around Llano de las Cabras and has led to the mobilisation of firefighters from the Murcia Region Firefighting Consortium, who were dispatched from the Lorca and Alhama-Totana stations. Since then, the teams have been working to contain a blaze that has remained active since midday.

The Special Civil Protection Plan for Forest Fires (Infomur Plan) has been activated at level 2, which applies when there is a risk of serious impact on people or property. This level allows the authorities to request additional resources and, if necessary, declare an emergency of national interest if the fire’s development so requires.

According to the UME, several units from the 3rd Intervention Battalion have left the Bétera base, in Valencia, to reinforce the operation in Murcia. The authorities are maintaining constant monitoring of a fire whose progress continues to be shaped by adverse weather conditions.