Alert Camino Primitivo closed by forest/grassland fire in the Tineo district

[Bradypus]

The Guardia Civil have closed a section of the Primitivo because of a large fire in the region of Tineo.

"Tenemos una nube de humo encima": así están viviendo el incendio en las cercanías de Lavadoira, en Tineo

La Guardia Civil ha cortado el paso hacia el Camino de Santiago, que atraviesa el monte en dirección a Pola de Allande. El viento complica por momentos...

www.cope.es

 

[RhysB]

Any news on for how long? is the fire out?

 

[Bradypus]

The most recent news I have seen seems to suggest that some firefighting is still going on in the area. No specific news about the camino closure.

Un incendio en Lugo arrasa 1.400 hectáreas y Asturias registra más de 70 focos activos

El cambio en el tiempo facilita las tareas de control del fuego de Castellón, donde 115 vecinos han sido autorizados para volver a sus casas

elpais.com

 

[AK2112]

I struggle to find info in english, but here is a short article published yesterday:

Spain: Emergency crews working to contain multiple wildfires in Asturias and Galicia autonomous communities, as of March 30

Emergency crews working to contain wildfires in Asturias and Galicia autonomous communities, Spain, as of March 30. Evacuations ongoing.

crisis24.garda.com

I am starting my Primitivo on April 13th, I guess this is over by then. In the meantime I hope people in the area stay safe.

 

[ivar]

Spain is getting some rain today and tomorrow... hope that will take car of it...

 

[Bradypus]

It seems that the fires in Asturias were still causing problems for some travellers yesterday. A flight from Bilbao to Santiago was diverted to Oviedo because of high winds. And then the bus being used to carry the passengers to Santiago was stopped overnight at a gasolinera by fires near the road. Not the best of journeys!

Viajeros del vuelo Bilbao-Santiago pasan la noche en una gasolinera asturiana

Su vuelo fue desviado a Asturias por el viento y emprendieron el viaje de regreso a Galicia en autobús, pero los incendios obligaron al vehículo a detenerse en una gasolinera asturiana

www.lavozdegalicia.es

 

[ivar]

Yes, it was quite windy... more here:

El Gobierno de Asturias, sobre los 121 incendios que afectan a la región: “Es una oleada provocada que no tiene precedentes”

Uno de los fuegos quema el monte Naranco, a las puertas de Oviedo. Hay cientos de desalojados y cortes en carreteras. Hoy se esperan fuertes vientos, lo que dificulta las tareas de extinción de las llamas, que también afectan a Cantabria, donde hay 38 focos activos

elpais.com

 

[ivar]

From the article above...

 

[peregrina2000]

From the article above...

Ivar, am I reading correctly that the authorities believe that all of these fires were intentionally set? And that they carefully calculated the time to start based on winds and other meteorological features? Unbelievable lunacy.

 

[peregrina2000]

Some pictures from a friend of mine who lives in Oviedo

 

[ivar]

Casi centenar de incendios calcinan Asturias y las llamas llegan a Oviedo

Los incendios forestales que se han multiplicado durante los últimos días en Asturias, con casi un centenar de focos simultáneos, han llegado en la noche del jueves al viernes a Oviedo.

www.rtve.es

Video here from the national news today.

 

[ivar]

Ivar, am I reading correctly that the authorities believe that all of these fires were intentionally set? And that they carefully calculated the time to start based on winds and other meteorological features? Unbelievable lunacy.

Yes, it sounds like that is what they are saying... sad indeed.

 

[Travelcat]

The most recent news I have seen seems to suggest that some firefighting is still going on in the area. No specific news about the camino closure.

Un incendio en Lugo arrasa 1.400 hectáreas y Asturias registra más de 70 focos activos

El cambio en el tiempo facilita las tareas de control del fuego de Castellón, donde 115 vecinos han sido autorizados para volver a sus casas

elpais.com

I am on my way to Oviedo tomorrow (April 1, 2023) and am hoping to walk the first stage to Grado. I called the tourist office and she said that part was open. I don't know about other stages along the Primitivo. But I think they're just watching the situation daily. It's absolutely horrible.

 

[JabbaPapa]

I think it's sadly unlikely to be a good year in this respect.

Personally, I dodged the fires in 2022 that affected the Caminos of not a few pilgrims, but that was mostly from going by unorthodox DIY routes -- nevertheless the drought affecting large portions of the Iberian peninsula and parts of France, mainly Pyrenees and Languedoc-Roussillon, has been ongoing for about eighteen months or so, if not more.

The first 2023 fires affecting any Camino route were in very early January, coastal French Catalan Way, though that is a very abstract observation given that only about a dozen pilgrims go that way in any given year, and virtually always by a further inland route.

Nevertheless, that early January fire from drought and heat is IMO quite indicative, as combined to my mind that the snow in both the Alps and the Pyrenees this year was both late and short-lived.

---

2023 is going to be another scorcher.

The only more or less normal conditions I came across last year were in some of the Easterly Portuguese river valleys. And even there, the locals were complaining of low crop yields.

 

[peregrina2000]

Somewhere after Tineo, from my Oviedo friend.



This one also is terrifying.

 

[Martine1]

It looks terrible

I'm arriving in Oviedo in 1,5 weeks time, it might be good to think of a back-up plan

 

[ivar]

I just saw the news and it looks like this is getting better. Still a lot fires, but almost all of them are under control... weather has changed and much more humidity (this is good). Wind has changed (this is good) and they are supposed to get rain later today/tomorrow. Crossing my fingers that this is over in the next 4-5 days.

 

[peregrina2000]

I just heard from my friend in Oviedo that Emergency Services reported that just the Naranco fire alone had 12 different starting points. Evidence like this must be why all the national news outlets are confidently reporting that the only explanation is arson.

 

[VNwalking]

Ivar, am I reading correctly that the authorities believe that all of these fires were intentionally set? And that they carefully calculated the time to start based on winds and other meteorological features? Unbelievable lunacy.

I just heard from my friend in Oviedo that Emergency Services reported that just the Naranco fire alone had 12 different starting points. Evidence like this must be why all the national news outlets are confidently reporting that the only explanation is arson.

Whaaaat?!?
Because?
That's sick.

This one also is terrifying.

Not to mention just plain evil.
I so hope the churches have not been damaged.

 

[Bradypus]

Not to mention just plain evil.
I so hope the churches have not been damaged.

Recent news is that most of the fires are now under control. The local authorities are very sure that this has been the result of very deliberate arson.

"On Friday, the President of the Principality, the members of his Government and the mayors of the affected councils insisted on the idea that the fires had been provoked. "We do not know what the background is, but obviously it is a wave of arson that is unprecedented," said Alejandro Calvo, Minister of Rural Affairs and Territorial Cohesion of the Asturian Government. “There is real terrorism because there is no other way to explain why [Mount] Naranco, so close to Oviedo, has burned down,” Barbón said."

La situación de los incendios mejora en Asturias: 69 de los 71 fuegos se dan por “controlados y estabilizados”

Este sábado se esperan lluvias débiles y un descenso de las temperaturas en la comunidad. Varias carreteras permanecen todavía cortadas

elpais.com

 

[Arctic_Alex]

I hope they will find those responsible. And I hope I will never meet any of them.

 

[ivar]

It looks like it has started to rain...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1642164965632032768

 

[AK2112]

It looks terrible

I'm arriving in Oviedo in 1,5 weeks time, it might be good to think of a back-up plan

Me too. But I am sure this will be under control by then.

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Me too. But I am sure this will be under control by then.

The rain will help. But still terrible. Also terrible for the now displaced wildlife. I wonder if this will put some bears under distress.

And egoistic as I am, I am really curious which stretches of the Primitivo will be heavily affected by the damage.

 

[AK2112]

The rain will help. But still terrible. Also terrible for the now displaced wildlife. I wonder if this will put some bears under distress.

And egoistic as I am, I am really curious which stretches of the Primitivo will be heavily affected by the damage.

I will be able to answer your last question by the end of April. I have not heard about casualties so far, but the animal life is probably effected by this many places. More than 100 fires are reported in Asturias alone.

 

[Arctic_Alex]

I will be able to answer your last question by the end of April. I have not heard about casualties so far, but the animal life is probably effected by this many places. More than 100 fires are reported in Asturias alone.

Yes, it is very sad ... and it gets me into a rage when I hear it was probably arson.

Will be great when you tell us on here what you experience on site

 

[Jan Jones]

This is a social media post I saw earlier today.

 

[AK2112]

This is a social media post I saw earlier today. View attachment 144066

Thanks, what SoMe-plattform is this from?

 

[Jan Jones]

Thanks, what SoMe-plattform is this from?

Camino Primitivo English Speakers - Facebook

 

[peregrina2000]

Hospitales, either yesterday or today.

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

Hospitales, either yesterday or today.


View attachment 144120View attachment 144119

View attachment 144118

Literally bawling.
And that photo of a town in the middle of your stream... I did not see a location named but it looks much like Tineo to me from the vantage point after one walks up and out of town. Fonsagrada is also coming to mind, but I did not think the fires went that far along... Regardless, my heart is just breaking... and I am wrung out by the thought that it was deliberately lit!

 

[scope6751]

This is appalling and will definitely spoil the visual aspect of what was the highlight of the Primitivo for me. Three weeks ago there was considerable snow above 1000 meters and driving rain most days on our Primitivo (Oviedo – SDC – Muxia). Amazing to think that it has gone from one extreme to the other in a matter of a few weeks - therefore this is quite likely to be deliberate. However once snow melts things can dry out very quickly and with no leaves or green vegetation any fires will spread quickly. Many fires are caused by carelessly dropped cigarettes but in this case there seem to be so many different sources of the fire this doesn't seem possible.

 

[rebeca1974]

Is the route of hospitales still close? Do you guys now if soon re open? I'm planing to get there on the 25th of April. I was so looking forward to this tram

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Is the route of hospitales still close? Do you guys now if soon re open? I'm planing to get there on the 25th of April. I was so looking forward to this tram

I do not know what the current state is, but I see no reason why it should not be "open" in 3 weeks from now. The fires are most likely cold already now as this section was only covered with lower vegetation, not trees. Also I see no safety risk why it should remain closed. Not much left to burn I guess and no tree trunks that could fall over. The path might not be marked well any longer, but that should not be a major concern in the days of GPS.

But still it is very sad ...I will be there in May and was really looking forward to this scenic section particularly

 

[Tia Valeria]

Heart-breaking

 

[Wandalina]

Somewhere after Tineo, from my Oviedo friend.

View attachment 143974

This one also is terrifying.

View attachment 143975

This is devastating

 

[ramosnuno]

I’m doing the primitivo now, spoke to an hospitaleiro in Oviedo who told me that everything is now open, the guardia civil closed one path for about 4 hours as he told me.. but arriving by bus in Oviedo I could smell the smoke still(this was yesterday)

 

[rebeca1974]

Devastating. Can't believe how someone could do this . Good luck peregrino!

 

[victw]

Is open the same thing as hikable?
I lived in Southern California for many years where there are constant fires. We tended to avoid trails after fires because the loss of vegetation tends to leave a trail exposed. Rain after a fire can also be problematic and cause considerable trail damage.

Im still not clear what sources we would use to determine the status of the primitivo.

 

[ramosnuno]

Is open the same thing as hikable?
I lived in Southern California for many years where there are constant fires. We tended to avoid trails after fires because the loss of vegetation tends to leave a trail exposed. Rain after a fire can also be problematic and cause considerable trail damage.

Im still not clear what sources we would use to determine the status of the primitivo.

I mean I’m just telling what the Oviedo hospitaleiro told me. Even today I spoke with the one from the grado albergue and he didn’t say otherwise. Will find out soon enough I guess.

 

[rebeca1974]

I mean I’m just telling what the Oviedo hospitaleiro told me. Even today I spoke with the one from the grado albergue and he didn’t say otherwise. Will find out soon enough I guess.

@ramosnuno . Thanks for the updates very appreciated

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

I mean I’m just telling what the Oviedo hospitaleiro told me. Even today I spoke with the one from the grado albergue and he didn’t say otherwise. Will find out soon enough I guess.

Is open the same thing as hikable?
I lived in Southern California for many years where there are constant fires. We tended to avoid trails after fires because the loss of vegetation tends to leave a trail exposed. Rain after a fire can also be problematic and cause considerable trail damage.

Im still not clear what sources we would use to determine the status of the primitivo.

Because the area runs across the top of the mountains in what is, essentially, open pasture land, it was already wildly exposed (which is part of why I guess it can frequently inadvisable due to inclement weather to go via the Hospitales route).

Truly, I'm more concerned about the people and the animals and the general conditions they will have to contend with than with whether the trail will be open, whether it will be attractive, or whatever else...

As long as it has not turned to nearly impassable mud as sections near Albergaria de Venhola had done in 2019 after the 2018 fires, I will stick to my plan of walking this route in May and spending more than I had figured on originally because the locals are going to need every euro.

 

[monschneider]

Hi. Is anybody walking Primitivo right now and could update the situation?

 

[BobY333]

I have seen photos on a Facebook page dedicated to the Primitivo. There are areas on the Hospitales that are black from the fires, but there are also many areas that maintain their beauty. But, it's all passable on foot. I plan to be walking the Hospitales four weeks from today!

 

[Jan Jones]

I have seen photos on a Facebook page dedicated to the Primitivo. There are areas on the Hospitales that are black from the fires, but there are also many areas that maintain their beauty. But, it's all passable on foot. I plan to be walking the Hospitales four weeks from today!

I’ll be a day ahead of you if that pesky Pajares dog doesn’t get me

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Hi. Is anybody walking Primitivo right now and could update the situation?

Seen pictures from people who are walking it right now without any problems. Even the Hospitales route.

 

[Arctic_Alex]

I’ll be a day ahead of you if that pesky Pajares dog doesn’t get me

And I might be a day ahead of you

I have seen photos on a Facebook page dedicated to the Primitivo. There are areas on the Hospitales that are black from the fires, but there are also many areas that maintain their beauty. But, it's all passable on foot. I plan to be walking the Hospitales four weeks from today!

Looks almost as if we are queuing on the Primitivo

I guess I should be on the Hospitales around May 13. Starting in Oviedo May 11 ... running up those hills if my body does not sabotage my plans.

 

[ivar]

From the news (sitting in Santiago) there is no news on fires in Asturias. We had some rain last week, the sun is back this week... (then rain again next week). Looks good from here...

 

[Nick Barlow]

Walked the Hospitales today and the path is fully open, though lots of burned areas around. Posted some photos in another thread.

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

Walked the Hospitales today and the path is fully open, though lots of burned areas around. Posted some photos in another thread.

Thank you for the news! Are the Hospitales ruins intact? Scorched?

 

[Nick Barlow]

Thank you for the news! Are the Hospitales ruins intact? Scorched?

The ruins were fine, they weren't near to the fires but the info board and structure at the old mining site (I can't remember the name - something de Freita?) is pretty much destroyed.

 

[trecile]

Since the fires are no longer active and the trail is open now I will close this thread and refer you to a recent thread about the after effects of the fires.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/salas-to-lugo-is-anyone-walking-the-primitivo-at-the-moment-if-so-which-areas-are-affected-by-the-recent-fires.79993/#post-1128658