Benahavis wildfire stabilised after burning more than 300 hectares as residents return home

Residents forced from their homes by the Benahavis wildfire can now return after firefighters brought the major blaze under control following a difficult 24 hours.

More than 300 hectares of woodland and scrub have been affected by the fire, which started near the Ermita del Rosario on Sunday afternoon and spread rapidly through steep terrain and strong easterly winds.

Around 50 people from Montemayor Alto were evacuated as the flames threatened areas where homes and forest meet. Residents of Montemayor and Benahavis Hills, together with the occupants of a property known as La Coja, were among those later given permission to return.

Andalucian emergency authorities said the fire was declared stabilised at around 7.30pm on Monday, allowing the operation to be scaled back to pre-emergency level.

More than 300 hectares affected by fire

Antonio Sanz, the Junta de Andalucia’s vice-president and regional minister for emergencies, said the progress represented an important stage in dealing with the blaze. Firefighters had spent the night working to stop the head of the fire from advancing, with heavy machinery used to protect Benahavis and nearby residential areas.

Monday’s operation involved around 200 personnel and a large fleet of aircraft and ground vehicles. The aerial response grew considerably during the day, with up to 16 aircraft involved at one stage.

Despite the improved situation, firefighters have not simply left the area. INFOCA crews are staying behind to check the perimeter, tackle hot spots and prevent the flames from starting again.

Three people injured in Benahavis fire

Three people were injured during the emergency. A 78-year-old man suffered burns to between 30 and 35 per cent of his body after trying to tackle the flames. He was taken to hospital in Malaga before being transferred to the burns unit at Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio in Seville.

A forest firefighter suffered a broken wrist in a fall, while another person received medical attention after inhaling smoke.

No homes were reported to have been destroyed, although emergency authorities reported some damage to outdoor features, including fences, terraces and access points.

A-7175 road reopened

The A-7175 road was also affected by the wildfire after being closed during the emergency. It was reopened overnight, helping residents who had been outside the municipality to get back home.

Fire behaviour was made more difficult by the combination of wind, steep slopes and the area’s numerous ravines and valleys. According to the technical analysis carried out by INFOCA, the flames spread quickly along ridges and slopes exposed to the wind.

Although the immediate danger to Benahavis residents has eased, INFOCA personnel will continue working at the scene until the fire is fully extinguished.

Police investigations now point to an initial blaze which broke out on the main road to Benahavis Village from what appears to be a stopped car moments before the alarm was officially raised.

#benahavis así ha empezado el incendio en Benahavís. Hemos avisado al 112 en ese momento pic.twitter.com/eBknt6AWRK

— mariareke 🐾✨ (@mariareke) September 13, 2026