Understanding the Misconceptions About Recent Wildfires and Viral Content
Recently, an audio clip featuring a supposed Spanish pilot claiming that local residents were refusing to allow the use of pool water to extinguish fires has circulated widely. However, it is important to clarify that this audio is neither recent nor related to the ongoing wildfires in the Community of Madrid. In fact, the audio originates from a broadcast by the Chilean channel Teletrece on February 7, 2023, which covered a forest fire in Yumbel, located in the Biobío region of Chile. In the audio, the pilot, Felipe Bru, specifically mentions that due to the refusal of pool owners, they would need to go to "the lagoon of Yumbel Estación" to fill their water tanks. This detail clearly indicates that the event took place in Chile, as it refers to the Laguna de las Flores, situated in Yumbel Estación.
Debunking the Myths Surrounding Emergency Response Videos
Furthermore, a separate video that has been misidentified as showcasing Moroccan Royal Air Force planes battling fires in Madrid is actually footage of an aircraft from France's Sécurité Civile. The video, published on July 5, 2026, does not mention Morocco and predates the surge of wildfires that occurred later in July. The Spanish government requested the activation of the European Union's Civil Protection Mechanism on the night of July 23, and by July 26, 2026, the European Commission had mobilized four firefighting planes—two from Greece and two from Italy. Additionally, over 100 units from the Portuguese Army were dispatched to assist with the fire response in the province of Ávila, as stated by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on July 25.
It is also crucial to correct the misconception surrounding the operational Canadair firefighting planes in Spain. Contrary to popular belief, the initial batch of Canadair CL-215 aircraft was not purchased during Franco's regime but rather during a democratic period. While Franco did procure ten planes in the early 1970s, a total of twenty were acquired post-Franco, with ten still operational today. Historical records from the Spanish Ministry of Defense clearly trace the acquisition of these aircraft.
In another misleading narrative, a video circulating recently showing a firefighter igniting flames has been misrepresented as a reckless act during an active fire. In reality, this footage depicts a strategic firefighting maneuver used during the Los Gallardos fire in Almería. The Andalusian wildfire extinguishing service, INFOCA, clarified that this technique, known as technical fire, is an indirect attack strategy employed to manage wildfires effectively.
Lastly, claims regarding the use of Russian Kamov Ka-32 helicopters for firefighting during the July 2026 fires have been debunked. These helicopters have not been operational since 2022 due to sanctions imposed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which have hindered maintenance and parts acquisition. The Ministry of Ecological Transition confirmed that the status of these helicopters remains unchanged as of July 2026.
As reported by maldita.es.
