Due to its location within a forest interface zone, our development is subject to mandatory fire-risk regulations under Valencian and municipal legislation. This obliges us to hold a current, city-approved Self-Protection Plan against Forest Fires (Plan de Autoprotección frente al Riesgo de Incendios Forestales).

The Altamira community, working jointly with the neighbouring communities in Las Ramblas, appointed a specialised consultant to prepare the plan on behalf of all the participating urbanizations. The document has been submitted to the Orihuela City Council for review and approval.

This plan is for your own protection and for the protection of your neighbours.

AUTOPROTECTION PLAN - ENGLISH   PLAN DE AUTOPROTECCION - EPAÑOL

The plan is divided into three parts:

1. Protection for fire not to reach our area or to arise within our area.
2. Inner protection for fire to not spread to neighbours and not to enter our houses
3. Handling a fire situation

1. Protection for fire not to reach our area or to arise within our area

• Responsibility of the community/city of Orihuela
• Outer perimeter – we need to clear trees and vegetation around our area so in case of a forest fire, it doesn’t reach us. (p 52)
• Inner perimeter – the valley called “Zona Verde” needs to be cleared.

• Responsibility of the owners
• Barbecue, Paella Pans, open fire (p 45)
• following requirements must be met for a barbecue
  • The barbecue must be placed on a non-flammable surface (such as tiles or gravel) that extends at least 1 metre beyond the fire area on all sides.
  • It must have a ceiling and three full side walls (from floor to ceiling) to enclose charcoal barbecues.
  • Every smoke outlet (chimney or flue) must be fitted with a spark arrester made of non-flammable material and include a spark-arresting hood or cap.
  • No tree branches, vegetation or overhanging foliage may be present within a 3-metre radius of any smoke outlet.
  • It is strongly recommended to have a water supply point (tap, hose or extinguisher) located nearby.

• Chimneys
  • There must be spark arrester network of non-flammable material with a mesh opening of between 0.5 and 1 cm on a side, at most, without branches or elements that may obstruct it at a minimum distance of 3 meters

2. Inner protection for fire not to spread to neighbours and not to enter our houses.

• Responsibility of the community
• Treatment of vegetation next to roads (p 51)
  • We must clear vegetation in certain roads where it invades part of the road and the branches of the trees create a tunnel effect which can make evacuation difficult

• Responsibility of the owners
• In general, the buildings are made out of materials resistant to forest fires (p 15) Their vulnerability, therefore, is directly related to the chances that fire can enter. (P 29)
• It is therefore essential to identify and assess the importance of combustible elements attached to the home (especially furniture, plastic trunks or cabinets, wooden floors, in general any flammable material), weak points through which fire can enter and flammable material inside the home. (P 30)
• Flammable objects
  • Flammable items like fire wood, garden debris etc. must be stored in a protected area against possible fire
  • Avoid flammable objects, within 3 meters from the house
• Responsibility of the owners and the community
  • Vegetation (p 53)
    • Vegetation closer than 3 meters from the house is dangerous
    • The density of vegetation on private plots must be limited. Fire engineer may be asked for further details. (p 52)
    • Tall trees are dangerous and need to be pruned to 2/3 of their height or a maximum of 3 meters.
    • Avoid flammable hedges especially connected to each other without a fire wall.
    • Shaving the palm trees near buildings is recommended to reduce fire load

There is a recommendation for safe landscaping on p 73

3. Handling a fire situation

• Water
• We have sufficient access to water (p 42)

• Responsiblity of the community/city of Orihuela
• The water posts need to be reviewed and maintained and the water hydrants need signs. (p 54)
• Fire drill (p 49)
• We will arrange a fire drill so that the fire department becomes familiar with our area. There will be no time when all owners are here to participate, but it’s still worthwhile to have the fire department to know our area.

• Responsibility of the community
  • Parking signs to avoid chaos in case of fire (p 35, p 50)
    • Most of our roads are narrow with dead end that we can’t do anything about.We have put up signs with “dead end” if evacuation is needed.
    • Calle Pia is made a one-way street to allow traffic to flow.
    • Parking on narrow roads must leave a space of 4 m so cars can pass.

• Informing residents (p 47)
  This information will be sent to all owners and also be posted at the website where it will be available in all languages as per the website.

• Evacuation instructions in case of fire (short version)(p 58)

• Responsibility of the owners

• Call 112 (p 63) – Please note that you will need to give the blue numbers on Avenida Ramblas de Oleza to give the right location
• Bring out your fire extinguisher, water hose, shovel to suffocate with soil, fire blanket etc
• If possible without putting yourself at risk, retract awnings, remove cushions and any other flammable objects, close shutters, seal windows and doors.
• If the fire is near you, wear protective clothes
• Don't act without identifying a safe escape route

There is a more detailed instruction on personal self-protection measures on page 63-67 which we highly recommend you to read.