Albox scouts return safely after wildfire camp evacuation

A summer outing turned into an evacuation for Albox’s historic scout group when flames spread near its Granada campsite. The 73 minors and their adult leaders were sheltered in a village school before receiving the all-clear to return.

Scouts spotted the fire during an outing

Music from Restábal’s fiestas provided an unexpected distraction for dozens of young scouts waiting out a wildfire evacuation on Saturday July 25. The Albox-based Grupo Scout 106 del Saliente was staying at the ValleScout campsite near Restábal, in Granada’s Valle de Lecrín. Around 100 people, including 73 minors, were ordered to leave as a preventive measure when a fire spread near the Béznar reservoir.

Monitor Pedro Gómez told Granada Hoy that members of the group were away from the campsite for an activity when they saw the fire. They alerted the 112 emergency service immediately and warned the camp before returning to assess the situation. As conditions developed, the group moved to Restábal, where El Valle council opened the local school as temporary accommodation. Food was provided, and music from a charanga (traditional street marching band) coincidentally performing during the village fiestas helped occupy the youngsters.

Infoca gave the group the all-clear and the scouts were able to return

Camp leader Ramón Guirao stressed that the flames had not reached ValleScout and that the children and leaders were all well. Infoca, Andalucía’s forest firefighting service, authorised the group to return to the campsite later on Saturday night. Guirao said the night passed normally and the Albox party began its journey home on Sunday July 26. He thanked El Valle council for its help, including the use of the school and the meals provided during the evacuation. A group due to arrive from Seville on Sunday did, however, cancel their stay after parents expressed concern.

The 200-hectare blaze was brought under control

The fire began around lunchtime on Saturday and was stabilised at approximately 8pm, after more than seven hours of firefighting. Pinos del Valle residents were temporarily told to remain indoors, while the Béznar and Rules reservoir areas were also cleared to give aircraft room to operate safely. At the height of the response, 125 ground personnel, 19 aircraft and three heavy firefighting vehicles were deployed. Initial estimates put the affected area at around 200 hectares.

Plan Infoca declared the fire controlled at about 10pm on Sunday July 26. No one from the scout camp was injured, and two people rescued from a nearby farmhouse were also reported unharmed.