Operation ‘Centinela Gallego’ 2020 to prevent wildfires ends

• Military personnel reported more than 100 sightings and also provided with relevant information on possible incendiary activities to Spain's Police Forces

Operation "Centinela gallego" to prevent wildfires in Galicia ended today with a balance of more than 100 wildfires' sightings, attempted fires and burns and with the contribution of relevant information regarding suspicious people and diverse incendiary material, data of high interest when it comes to finding out the origin of these fires, as well as the possible people responsible for them. Operation's main goal is fulfilled, and the results are positive.

Operation "Centinela gallego" to prevent wildfires in Galicia ended today with a balance of more than 100 wildfires' sightings, attempted fires and burns and with the contribution of relevant information regarding suspicious people and diverse incendiary material, data of high interest when it comes to finding out the origin of these fires, as well as the possible people responsible for them. Operation's main goal is fulfilled, and the results are positive.

The operation began on August 15th and today all the personnel have been withdrawn to the 'General Morillo' Base in Pontevedra. In this month and a half of the operation, around 350 military personnel have been deployed, with the main goal of surveillance and deterrence, they have travelled more than 4,600 kilometres a day through the Galician mountains, totalling 220,000 kilometres, which means more than 1,500 patrols have been carried out. Likewise, more than 50 flights have been made with the unmanned aircraft system, exceeding 3,500 minutes of observation, which has allowed the early detection of five fires.

Personnel and resources from the "Galicia" VII Brigade (BRILAT), from its three sites in Pontevedra, Asturias and Valladolid, and from the Tercio Norte de Infantería de Marina, belonging to the Navy and based in Ferrol, have participated in "Centinela Gallego".

The military units have acted under the operational control of the Operations Command and were deployed in areas assigned by the Xunta de Galicia in three of the four Galician provinces.

During the operation, all military patrols have been in touch and in close collaboration with all civilian authorities, as well as with the different coordination centres responsible for fire fighting, both at the regional and provincial level.

It is worth to mention the effective surveillance and deterrence work carried out by the patrols and the good acceptance shown by the citizens year in, year out.

Part of the key to the operation's success lies in the excellent support provided by municipalities in the Area of operation; in particular those of A Cañiza, Salvaterra do Miño, Lobios, Trives and Viana do Bolo, which have provided facilities for the deployment of troops.