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Alert Camino closed in Navarra for 2 days

Topics realted to Hazards on the camino de Santiago

amancio

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Time of past OR future Camino
Frances, Norte, Primit, Salvador, Portug, Arag, Ingles, VdlP, Leban-Vadin, Fisterra, Invierno, LePuy
the Camino is closed in all the Navarra region and will remain closed until Wednesday. Pilgrims may be fined by the Guardia Civil if they are caught in the Camino, beware!

I guess the alternative would be to move to Logroño and skip Navarra, even if the camino is open again, it might not be pleasant to walk through ashes and smell of burnt.

Pilgrims are advised to stay in the albergues till things are back to normal, or until further notice.

Dear moderators, please feel free to place this post wherever you think it suits best!


 
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St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
My Camino seems to change a bit. First the flight was cancelled on saturday, then the suitable trains from Paris to SJPP were cancelled on sunday, so now I'm on my way via Barcelona and leaving tomorrow to Pamplona, where I have a reservation for two nights. How does it look like for Puente la Reina, Estella & Los Arcos? Would it be wise to cancel my reservations for the rest of the week?
 
I would personally ask the Guardian Civil if some lengthy tarmac detour around and completely away from the fire area were permissible, but that's just me, and I would strongly recommend that those with less flexibility than I have should simply follow the official advice and stay safe by busing it. Of course a two days rest may be a good option for some.

Trouble is, the heatwave is moving East and so that's the general direction of the wind, which makes things about as dangerous as they can be for pilgrims.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
the Camino is closed in all the Navarra region and will remain closed until Wednesday. Pilgrims may be fined by the Guardia Civil if they are caught in the Camino, beware!
So sorry to hear it and feel for those affected. From a future pilgrim, I thank you for letting us know ... Buen Camino
 
the Camino is closed in all the Navarra region and will remain closed until Wednesday. Pilgrims may be fined by the Guardia Civil if they are caught in the Camino, beware!

I guess the alternative would be to move to Logroño and skip Navarra, even if the camino is open again, it might not be pleasant to walk through ashes and smell of burnt.

Pilgrims are advised to stay in the albergues till things are back to normal, or until further notice.

Dear moderators, please feel free to place this post wherever you think it suits best!


Thank you. Please will those in Spain keep us updated? My 3 sons are due to start walking in St Jean on the weekend so we are anxious about changes. Thanks
 
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My Camino seems to change a bit. First the flight was cancelled on saturday, then the suitable trains from Paris to SJPP were cancelled on sunday, so now I'm on my way via Barcelona and leaving tomorrow to Pamplona, where I have a reservation for two nights. How does it look like for Puente la Reina, Estella & Los Arcos? Would it be wise to cancel my reservations for the rest of the week?
Gotta admire your press-on-regardless spirit! Please let us know how your journey unfolds. And stay safe, Pilgrim.
 
There will end up being a big bubble of pilgrims departing Pamplona when three days worth of pilgrims are allowed to move again.

If I were about to start a pilgrimage at St Jean, it would be a serious idea to instead head south from Bayonne and take the camino Bayonne or the tunnel route to Burgos or Santo Domingo.
 
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How exactly was that accomplished? Armed guards blocking the path to the Alto de Perdon? ... Don't mean to seem flippant. Genuinely curious.
The police went from town to town on Sunday telling pilgrims to stay where they were or take the bus to Logrono. We did and on Monday took the bus, it was a pleasant walk from Logrono to Navarette.
 
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My Camino seems to change a bit. First the flight was cancelled on saturday, then the suitable trains from Paris to SJPP were cancelled on sunday, so now I'm on my way via Barcelona and leaving tomorrow to Pamplona, where I have a reservation for two nights. How does it look like for Puente la Reina, Estella & Los Arcos? Would it be wise to cancel my reservations for the rest of the week?
Sorry to hear about your travel. I reached Zubiri yesterday evening.

Folks here have been talking and we decided to walk to Pamplona today and figure from there. I will be reaching Pamplona in the afternoon.

I came through Barcelona to Pampolona to SJPP earlier and Pamplona is a nice place to stay and figure out next step around closures. I will give an update later in the day.

Buen Camino.
 
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Thank you. Please will those in Spain keep us updated? My 3 sons are due to start walking in St Jean on the weekend so we are anxious about changes. Thanks
will try, amigo, will try, I live nearly 1000 km away from Navarra, but I like keeping updated on any camino matters. IT should be all sorted by Thursday, cooler weather is coming now and all those towns are surely interested in coming back to their normal life.
 
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How exactly was that accomplished? Armed guards blocking the path to the Alto de Perdon? ... Don't mean to seem flippant. Genuinely curious.
I saw a photo taken on top of Alto del Perdon of a person in a red uniform and helmet with a moto who was turning people back to Pamplona, no guns just issuing common sense orders.
 
I saw a photo taken on top of Alto del Perdon of a person in a red uniform and helmet with a moto who was turning people back to Pamplona, no guns just issuing common sense orders.
That person is an officer of the regional police of Navarra. And I guess enough pilgrims, once informed, had the common sense and the decency to do what they were asked to do: stay put in their accommodation or take the bus to Logroño and leave Navarra.

Here is one such article with a report about pilgrims who did that; it explains also why pilgrims are asked to do so and gives hope that the situation for pilgrims on the Camino Francés in Navarra will be normalised soon.


If you are in Navarra and have set the AlertCops app to receive local notices from police/emergency services, you may well have received such information on your phone and may well continue to be kept up to date.
 
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That person is an officer of the regional police of Navarra. And I guess enough pilgrims, once informed, had the common sense and the decency to do what they were asked to do: stay put in their accommodation or take the bus to Logroño and leave Navarra.

Here is one such article with a report about pilgrims who did that; it explains also why pilgrims are asked to do so and gives hope that the situation for pilgrims on the Camino Francés in Navarra will be normalised soon.


If you are in Navarra and have set the AlertCops app to receive local notices from police/emergency services, you may well have received such information on your phone and may well continue to be kept up to date.
Thank you for the update. At least it seems controllable. My understanding is that the emergency services are busy containing the fire and dealing with inhabitants who may need their assistance in evacuation and for that reason pilgrims are being asked not to walk between Pamplona and Logrono; not because the danger is on the actual Camino, but so that the emergency vehicles do not have to attend potential hiking accidents and can concentrate on this important work. Please respect their requests, if you are walking now - it could save others' lives.
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
Official communication from the Navarra government after this morning's meeting of the Emergency Advisory Committee: Some improvement of the situation, some outbreaks still uncontrolled, others stabilised, still extreme fire risk in the Central Zone of Navarra, no bonfires to celebrate St John's Day today. For pilgrims on the Camino in Navarra, the situation for today (Tuesday 21 June) remains as before: stay in place or take the bus to skip the stages in question.

 
😃 thank you! I've reserved 6weeks for the Camino, so changes will not matter - Camino is everywhere ☀️👣
The towns you mentioned are all in Navarre so you won't know until Wednesday at the earliest. You can possibly do another Camino like the Norte or just hope for the best and adjust as you go. Buen Camino peregrina.
 
How exactly was that accomplished? Armed guards blocking the path to the Alto de Perdon? ... Don't mean to seem flippant. Genuinely curious.
When I did CF Apr/May, there were more than ever Guardia patrolling Camino via car and motorcycle. Suspect that is how they would find/fine/remove from trail, the trekkers.
 
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Before calling officials for options, please consider these two points;

1) A very specific Alert has already been posted. Stay out of Navarra until Wednesday.
2) Policia Local to Policia Nacional are very busy right now, and beyond Wednesday in keeping everyone as safe as possible.

Would it not be best to heed the Alert, follow its instructions and move forward making as few ripples as possible?
 
the Camino is closed in all the Navarra region and will remain closed until Wednesday. Pilgrims may be fined by the Guardia Civil if they are caught in the Camino, beware!

I guess the alternative would be to move to Logroño and skip Navarra, even if the camino is open again, it might not be pleasant to walk through ashes and smell of burnt.

Pilgrims are advised to stay in the albergues till things are back to normal, or until further notice.

Dear moderators, please feel free to place this post wherever you think it suits best!


We were able to walk from Pamplona to puente de Reina today Tuesday 21/6. The fires yesterday came right up to Camino track.
 
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Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
Thank you for the update. At least it seems controllable. My understanding is that the emergency services are busy containing the fire and dealing with inhabitants who may need their assistance in evacuation and for that reason pilgrims are being asked not to walk between Pamplona and Logrono; not because the danger is on the actual Camino, but so that the emergency vehicles do not have to attend potential hiking accidents and can concentrate on this important work. Please respect their requests, if you are walking now - it could save others' lives.
Priorities! Heart goes out to local people impacted by these fires. All power to Emergency Services. 🙏
 
Any idea about the best way to refund a Renfe ticket to Pamplona? Is it best to just show up at the ticket counter and request a change to Leon? Is a change from an Alvia train to Ave train an issue? Much obliged to all helping future pilgrims hit the road. This forum is a blessing.
 
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There is often confusion about what it means that “the Camino is closed”. Confusion reigns not only on social media platforms, which is practically a given, but also with people on the ground, whether locals or those foreign visitors who do not speak Spanish to understand the news on TV or in a local newspaper and may not bother to inform themselves anyway. I am always interested in finding accurate information but did not manage to even see the decree (Orden foral) that is frequently referred to.

Obviously, like in many countries, police officers have the power to stop the public from going into certain areas. If there are officers on the Alto del Perdon they can inform and stop people from moving any further. Or on a road leaving Pamplona where they are stationed to stop or divert car traffic anyway and can also stop pedestrians.

IMHO, it is ludicrous to think that Navarra are wasting resources to patrol the whole Camino Francés trail to fine and remove Camino walkers. They have more urgent tasks to do.

Currently, it appears to me, based on numerous comments by regional government officials, that it is an urgent request and a strong recommendation that pilgrims either stay in albergues or take the bus if they feel that they must move on. Not every pilgrim will comply and that will not come as a surprise to anyone.
 
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Can only say one thing to this , you where not allowed to walk.
And in addition to this: in case you had become into trouble the emergency services that are very busy with the fires, would also have been busy rescueing you ....
Please be very, very careful with these fires, listen to the Guardia Civil, and never take any risk, not for yourself, not for others!
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
We were allowed to walk, the police had opened the track. There were many walking.
Hi Zabe - I am meant to start the Camino this Saturday from Pamplona but concerned about these fires. Can you see / smell them? Is it obvious?

Considering rerouting to the Portuguese Coastal Camino! Any info would be amazing on how it is on the ground.
 
How exactly was that accomplished? Armed guards blocking the path to the Alto de Perdon? ... Don't mean to seem flippant. Genuinely curious.

Drive to the nearest small town, put out a lawn chair on the eastern edge of town, sit down, stop anyone limping into town with a backpack, asked for identification, and arrest all those without a Spanish passport?
 
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The police went from town to town on Sunday telling pilgrims to stay where they were or take the bus to Logrono. We did and on Monday took the bus, it was a pleasant walk from Logrono to Navarette.

I am very happy to hear you followed the orders from the police. First of all for your own safety and also for not bringing others in danger and making it harder for the fire brigade , police and other officials.
Wish everyone would be so sensible!
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Priorities! Heart goes out to local people impacted by these fires. All power to Emergency Services. 🙏


Indeed! Here is a visual about the emergency services, only for Navarra.

 
A viva voce anecdote: one of the women who works in the reception centre in Pamplona (where my friend does counselling) came in distressed. She lives in Obanos. She and her husband saw the fire from the garden, and went to hose the garden. "Except that the field was fallow this year, the fire would have taken hold and burned down the house. The temperature was 49 degrees, and the water turned to steam before exiting from the hose."
Everything seems to be calming down, although the trauma will take time to recede into the background. My friend told me that the whole area around El Perdón is scorched... i will see for myself, hopefully, late July...
 
Indeed! Here is a visual about the emergency services, only for Navarra.
https://www.diariodenavarra.es/noti...aereos-lucha-el-fuego-navarra-532156-300.html
Thanks for that! The text says: Specifically, 984 people are directly involved in the tasks of extinguishing the fires. Among them, 420 firefighters from Navarra, almost the entire staff, which has been divided into shifts of between 150 and 200 people each day of the operation. In addition, there were firefighting crews from neighbouring regions who came to help.

The Navarra fire fighters are also first responders for car accidents and for assisting and aiding pilgrims who get themselves into trouble because they get lost, are dangerously dehydrated, have a heart attack, break their wrist, hurt their ankle so that they cannot walk one more step and other mishaps.

As others have already pointed out in this thread that is one major reason why pilgrims were asked to stay put or go by bus to Logroño and get out of Navarra. Locals were asked to avoid unnecessary trips (to stay away from potentially dangerous fire areas but also to reduce traffic and traffic accidents, and, obviously, traffic includes taxis and mochila transport). Of course, everyone thinks that nothing will happen to them and that they will not need the help of a first responder team and that their little bit of movement will not make any difference. But it is everybody who makes up the whole. That is perhaps a difficult concept to grasp ... :rolleyes:.
 
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Of course, everyone thinks that nothing will happen to them and that they will not need the help of a first responder team and that their little bit of movement will not make any difference. But it is everybody who makes up the whole. That is perhaps a difficult concept to grasp
Precisely.
We each contribute to the whole, and 'it will never happen to me' is always wrong for someone.
So taking care of ourselves takes care of the whole.
 
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The same information was published by the regional government of Navarra on their website today, 22 June 2022. Extract (translated from Spanish):

Rainfall of up to 15 litres per square metre measured in Valdorba, Leoz or Olleta, somewhat less intense in the area of Ujué and Gallipienzo, has reduced the risk of fire and possible new outbreaks and has enabled the safe return to their homes of the residents of the last four villages that were still evacuated: Olleta, Amatriain, Sansoain and Maquirriain, some 80 people in total. For the same reason pilgrims can walk the Camino de Santiago without restrictions. For the next few days the possibility of showers with light winds from the south, lower temperatures and recovery of air humidity is maintained, so the risk of fires is reduced.​

Full text: https://www.navarra.es/es/-/todos-los-incendios-entran-en-fase-de-estabilizacion-y-se-sigue-trabajando-en-su-control-total?redirect=/es/sala-de-prensa&pageBackId=363045
 
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When I did CF Apr/May, there were more than ever Guardia patrolling Camino via car and motorcycle. Suspect that is how they would find/fine/remove from trail, the trekkers.
I ran across a group of Guardia Civil and National Civil who were monitoring a disco dance involving young people. It was morning yet and they were alert for crowd and drug control. The National Civil held some pretty serious arms so I’d assume that they will be pretty serious during a fire incident and I would not care to push the envelope!
 
I am hearing directly from folks on the Camino while I assist them virtually. Some left from Pamplona this morning and arrived in PDR without incident. Evidence of the fire is visible from the trail in a few places but there is no cause for alarm at this time is the consistent information I’m getting from people actually out there walking. Most are over age 50 rule following risk avoiders. If a woman in her seventies from Chillicothe OH says it wasn’t dangerous, there were not any police stopping people, then you aren’t burdening any local authorities by proceeding down the trail. Just my $.02 having grown up amongst range fires yearly in Oklahoma and frequently subject to police hurricane evacuation/exclusion orders now in Florida. If the police say don’t walk. Don’t walk. If they aren’t out there and are requesting, but not ordering, you not to walk. Then it’s your call.

I’ve got two more leaving tomorrow from Pamplona. If their report is any different, I’ll post it here.

If you are planing on leaving from Pamplona any time soon, I wouldn’t change my plans but that’s not advice to rely upon, just my personal observation. But the Portuguese is a lovely option as well.

Personally, I’d just book the Tuscan/Lazio portion of the Via Francigena or INT in Israel with a detour into Jerusalem to the Holy Sepulchre. Both are lovely walks that conclude with a compostela and lack crowded albergues, communicable diseases, unprepared walkers, and most of the emerging Disney like Instagram posing atmosphere of the CF. They both lack the foot traffic necessary for these types of orders as well.

Pilgrims have assumed the risk without dialing 112/999/911 response for more than 1200 years. They can and should be allowed to proceed with their eyes wide open to the dangers. They might learn something about how small they really are in this world. May God go with them all.
 
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Sorry to hear about your travel. I reached Zubiri yesterday evening.

Folks here have been talking and we decided to walk to Pamplona today and figure from there. I will be reaching Pamplona in the afternoon.

I came through Barcelona to Pampolona to SJPP earlier and Pamplona is a nice place to stay and figure out next step around closures. I will give an update later in the day.

Buen Camino.
Thank you! I reached Pamplona yesterday and will take a bus to Logrono tomorrow, which means a few shorter walkingdays for the rest of the week. I have made reservations so that I will not have to run to win other pilgrims to get a bed or walk a lot over my limits as a non-athlete-person. I'm contemplating St Ignatius de Loyolas advice: "By all possible ways try to avoid pushing to get ahead."
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

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Thank you! I reached Pamplona yesterday and will take a bus to Logrono tomorrow, which means a few shorter walkingdays for the rest of the week. I have made reservations so that I will not have to run to win other pilgrims to get a bed or walk a lot over my limits as a non-athlete-person. I'm contemplating St Ignatius de Loyolas advice: "By all possible ways try to avoid pushing to get ahead."
Plenty of people left Pamplona for PDR yesterday without incident and without violating any police or civil order not to walk. If you want to proceed, you can, is my understanding. But Logrono is a wonderful city. A true hidden gem of Europe. I hope you enjoy it.
 
Thank you! I reached Pamplona yesterday and will take a bus to Logrono tomorrow, which means a few shorter walkingdays for the rest of the week.
Both the police and the government announced this morning that the restrictions are lifted. Pilgrims can walk again from Pamplona to Logroño. See official information in comments #42 and #41 in this thread.
 
Plenty of people left Pamplona for PDR yesterday without incident and without violating any police or civil order not to walk. If you want to proceed, you can, is my understanding. But Logrono is a wonderful city. A true hidden gem of Europe. I hope you enjoy it.
I loved Logrono; one of my personal favorites. Great tapas, cheap beer and wine, and the main drag eventually fills up by sunset with happy locals.
Screenshot_20220622-181155~2.png
Screenshot_20220622-181051~2.png
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
Thank you! I reached Pamplona yesterday and will take a bus to Logrono tomorrow, which means a few shorter walkingdays for the rest of the week. I have made reservations so that I will not have to run to win other pilgrims to get a bed or walk a lot over my limits as a non-athlete-person. I'm contemplating St Ignatius de Loyolas advice: "By all possible ways try to avoid pushing to get ahead."
I left Pamplona yesterday with few others and it was great. No issues at all. Little bit of overnight rain helped. We met some police officers on top of Alto del Pardon and they mentioned that Camino is open. We did see fire damage along the way to Puento La Reina. We reached Puento La Reina yesterday evening.

Today we arrived at Estella. It was a beautiful walk with so many of us walking together. I will arrive at Logrono on Saturday and will take a rest day Sunday there.

Enjoy your walk from Logrono. Hope to see you in a few days somewhere on the camino. Buen Camino.

( jfyi if you are instagram, I posted some pics from last 5 days of walk at @felixnavs )
 
There will end up being a big bubble of pilgrims departing Pamplona when three days worth of pilgrims are allowed to move again.

If I were about to start a pilgrimage at St Jean, it would be a serious idea to instead head south from Bayonne and take the camino Bayonne or the tunnel route to Burgos or Santo Domingo.
I am on the Via Bayona/Vasco Interior/Tunnel route having started in Biarritz on Monday. A tiny trickle of pilgrims. In Andoian albergue of 11 beds I am alone and according to logbook it has been same for weeks - ones and twos only. Great waymarking and nice scenery, it just needs more pilgrims! (And it is possible to walk from Biarritz airport though I would take bus to Biarritz gare to avoid a short section on main Rd).
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
the Camino is closed in all the Navarra region and will remain closed until Wednesday. Pilgrims may be fined by the Guardia Civil if they are caught in the Camino, beware!

I guess the alternative would be to move to Logroño and skip Navarra, even if the camino is open again, it might not be pleasant to walk through ashes and smell of burnt.

Pilgrims are advised to stay in the albergues till things are back to normal, or until further notice.

Dear moderators, please feel free to place this post wherever you think it suits best!


What happened??? Sounds very serious... any casualties?
 

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