Spain Declares 45 Areas Seriously Affected by Civil Protection Emergencies After Fires, Rain and Floods
The Council of Ministers agreed on October 27 to declare 45 areas as zones seriously affected by a civil protection emergency (ZAEPC), after they suffered forest fires, heavy rain, storms and flooding between September 13 and October 20. Government spokesperson Elma Saiz explained the decision after the meeting.
The declaration allows affected municipalities, farmers and businesses to apply for central government aid and tax relief, with the Ministry of the Interior coordinating the damage assessment and assistance across departments.
The spokesperson gave examples: the fire at Tuéjar, in the province of Valencia, burned nearly 750 hectares and injured two forest firefighters, and fires also struck Quiroga in the province of Lugo and Calvos de Randín in Ourense, Galicia. The list covers nine autonomous communities.
The Council of Ministers also received a report that day on the situation in Ceuta, with data as of October 26. The government said the declaration is the standard first step in post-disaster assistance, with departments to publish application procedures and timelines.
Source: Presidency of the Government, Spain
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：森林火灾中的消防车。Javierme Javier Mediavilla Ezquibela 摄，Wikimedia Commons，CC BY 4.0。 / Photo: A fire engine at a wildfire. Photo by Javierme Javier Mediavilla Ezquibela, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
