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FLANKS OF COLL DE RATES ARE ON FIRE

The widely known Coll de Rates in the region around Calpe was ablaze this weekend as a result of an out-of-control burning of garden waste. No less than 800 hectares burned down.

The fire started Saturday afternoon and was difficult for firefighters to contain. The military was called in to help extinguish and prevent worse. The road up the mountain is still closed to traffic and extinguishing efforts are still underway. All residents around the area have been evacuated. So the Coll de Rates which is very popular with both cyclists and cycling tourists will not be so green for a while.

The Coll de Rates is on fire © Hannie Ceelen
© Hannie Ceelen
© Hannie Ceelen
Cyclelive Magazine with Karen Verhestraeten and father Danny Verhestraeten on the summit of the Coll de Rates in 2018

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