Life as a football player is not a bad one, is it? This week, Almuñecar has welcomed the hard-working lads from Peterborough United in the UK for some pre-season training by the Med.

Local authorities welcome British visitors

Sports councillor Luis Aragon from Almuñecar council presented gifts and a commemorative plaque to players and coaching staff from the English team. The gesture recognised their decision to base three days of pre-season preparations in Almuñecar. Where else? Local politicians visited the squad at the local sports stadium Francisco Bonet, where the English club’s second team completed training sessions.

Officials highlight facilities and future opportunities

Luis Aragon confirmed that Almuñecar remains open for future training camps and sporting stays. He expressed hope that players and staff enjoy their time in the town. Local teams worked hard to ensure top-quality pitches and support services throughout the visit. Aragon stressed that everything possible was done to create ideal conditions for effective sessions.

Malaga City Academy praises growing sports tourism

Alejandro Garcia from FC Malaga City Academy thanked the council sports department for its support. This collaboration is helping attract professional teams from elsewhere and boosts sports tourism in the area It’s being used as an advertisement for others to follow suit. Such visits raise the profile of Almuñecar on the international stage. Garcia explained that bringing in professional squads forms a key part of Malaga City’s strategy to establish Almuñecar as a preferred destination for training camps and athletic residencies.

Numbers show a positive trend in visitor stays

García spoke of ongoing efforts to draw more sports teams to the town. During June, 271 people stayed in apartments near the Marina del Este harbour. Organisers hope to increase these figures year on year.

Peterborough United FC utilised excellent local resources during their short stay, as well as savouring the excellent sea cuisine. The experience combined focused football preparation with the attractions of the Almuñecar-La Herradura area. Merchandising items from the tourist destination formed part of the gifts handed over. This exchange strengthens ties between the British club and Spanish hosts.

Both sides look forward to potential repeat visits. Almuñecar continues to develop its reputation for supporting high-level sports teams. Peterborough United FC benefits from quality training grounds as it builds towards the upcoming campaign. Local representatives expressed satisfaction with the successful hosting of this professional outfit.

Emergency services have activated level 1 protocols after a forest fire broke out in Archez and rapidly spread to neighbouring areas in the Axarquia region of Malaga.

Officials from Plan Infoca were quick to respond to the blaze first reported at 12.44 in the Barranco de la Fuente area. Crews deployed multiple aircraft, including two light helicopters, one semi-heavy helicopter, two ground-loading planes and a coordination aircraft. Ground teams consisted of 17 personnel supported by a water tanker.

15/07/2026. 🕗 15.30 h.

🔴 ACTUALIZACIÓN #IFÁrchez, #Málaga | Trabajamos en su estabilización.

MEDIOS:
🚁 2 ligeros, 2 semipesados, 1 mando
🛩️ 4 carga en tierra, 1 coordinación
👩‍🚒 80 efectivos por tierra
🚒 2 autobombas
📡 1 equipo de mando
🩺 1 unidad médica pic.twitter.com/gosG06CKQD

— EMA INFOCA (@Plan_INFOCA) July 17, 2026

Fire jumps between villages calling for evacuations

Local authorities confirmed the flames moved quickly from Archez into Canillas de Albaida and Competa. One mayor described how the fire crossed a gully despite initial containment efforts, burning through avocado cultivation plots and forcing preventive evacuations of homes and an entire urbanisation.

🔴 Elevamos a fase de emergencia, situación operativa 1, el #PlanInfoca en la provincia de #Málaga por la evolución del #IFÁrchez

🔥 Como medida preventiva, se recomienda evitar la zona y seguir las indicaciones de los servicios de emergencia.

🏠 Quédate en casa. Cierra… pic.twitter.com/Bcs6CxxX6b

— Antonio Sanz Cabello (@antoniosanz) July 17, 2026

No personal injuries have been reported so far. Teams focused efforts on protecting residential zones and agricultural land. A road closure formed part of safety measures in the affected zone. Residents received instructions to stay indoors, keep doors and windows shut if smoke reached them, and pay extra attention to children, elderly people and vulnerable groups. People should avoid the area entirely and follow all directions from emergency teams.

Restaurant blaze causes tension in Velez-Malaga centre

Separate from the forest incident, a fire broke out early Friday morning inside Sushi One Asiatico restaurant in Velez-Malaga. Flames started around 10am on the ground floor of a five-storey residential building in Calle Aceitunos, close to Avenida de Las Naciones.

Dense smoke led firefighters to evacuate around 20 residents from the block as a precaution. Fortunately the restaurant was closed to customers at the time, which helped complete the operation quickly without any reported injuries or smoke inhalation cases. Damage remained confined mostly to the interior of the establishment. Investigators pointed to a possible electrical fault or equipment issue rather than any link to the wider fires.

Multiple units from the Provincial Fire Consortium in Velez-Malaga, along with local police and medical services, attended the scene. Officers cordoned off access routes while crews tackled the blaze from several angles. A large plume of black smoke became visible across much of the town, drawing public attention. By approximately 11am, firefighters declared the fire under control and began ventilation and safety checks to prevent re-ignition in ceiling voids or ducts.

Safety advice still key for local communities

Both incidents go to show the heightened alert for the weekend and the high need for vigilance during such dry and hot conditions in southern Spain. Authorities continue to call for caution and full cooperation with emergency instructions in all affected parts of Malaga province. Updates will follow as containment progresses on the forest fire and investigations advance on the restaurant incident

Competa on fire. Credit: Valeria Pérez WW

Emergency services have activated level 1 protocols after a forest fire broke out in Archez and rapidly spread to neighbouring areas in the Axarquia region of Malaga.

Officials from Plan Infoca were quick to respond to the blaze first reported at 12.44 in the Barranco de la Fuente area. Crews deployed multiple aircraft, including two light helicopters, one semi-heavy helicopter, two ground-loading planes and a coordination aircraft. Ground teams consisted of 17 personnel supported by a water tanker.

15/07/2026. 🕗 15.30 h.

🔴 ACTUALIZACIÓN #IFÁrchez, #Málaga | Trabajamos en su estabilización.

MEDIOS:
🚁 2 ligeros, 2 semipesados, 1 mando
🛩️ 4 carga en tierra, 1 coordinación
👩‍🚒 80 efectivos por tierra
🚒 2 autobombas
📡 1 equipo de mando
🩺 1 unidad médica pic.twitter.com/gosG06CKQD

— EMA INFOCA (@Plan_INFOCA) July 17, 2026

Fire jumps between villages calling for evacuations

Local authorities confirmed the flames moved quickly from Archez into Canillas de Albaida and Competa. One mayor described how the fire crossed a gully despite initial containment efforts, burning through avocado cultivation plots and forcing preventive evacuations of homes and an entire urbanisation.

🔴 Elevamos a fase de emergencia, situación operativa 1, el #PlanInfoca en la provincia de #Málaga por la evolución del #IFÁrchez

🔥 Como medida preventiva, se recomienda evitar la zona y seguir las indicaciones de los servicios de emergencia.

🏠 Quédate en casa. Cierra… pic.twitter.com/Bcs6CxxX6b

— Antonio Sanz Cabello (@antoniosanz) July 17, 2026

No personal injuries have been reported so far. Teams focused efforts on protecting residential zones and agricultural land. A road closure formed part of safety measures in the affected zone. Residents received instructions to stay indoors, keep doors and windows shut if smoke reached them, and pay extra attention to children, elderly people and vulnerable groups. People should avoid the area entirely and follow all directions from emergency teams.

Restaurant blaze causes tension in Velez-Malaga centre

Separate from the forest incident, a fire broke out early Friday morning inside Sushi One Asiatico restaurant in Velez-Malaga. Flames started around 10am on the ground floor of a five-storey residential building in Calle Aceitunos, close to Avenida de Las Naciones.

Dense smoke led firefighters to evacuate around 20 residents from the block as a precaution. Fortunately the restaurant was closed to customers at the time, which helped complete the operation quickly without any reported injuries or smoke inhalation cases. Damage remained confined mostly to the interior of the establishment. Investigators pointed to a possible electrical fault or equipment issue rather than any link to the wider fires.

Multiple units from the Provincial Fire Consortium in Velez-Malaga, along with local police and medical services, attended the scene. Officers cordoned off access routes while crews tackled the blaze from several angles. A large plume of black smoke became visible across much of the town, drawing public attention. By approximately 11am, firefighters declared the fire under control and began ventilation and safety checks to prevent re-ignition in ceiling voids or ducts.

Safety advice still key for local communities

Both incidents go to show the heightened alert for the weekend and the high need for vigilance during such dry and hot conditions in southern Spain. Authorities continue to call for caution and full cooperation with emergency instructions in all affected parts of Malaga province. Updates will follow as containment progresses on the forest fire and investigations advance on the restaurant incident