Every summer, we are normally treated to the unwanted spectacle of a forest fire on the Costa del Sol. On Tuesday earlier this week, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees and a gusty wind, we witnessed the familiar sight of planes dumping gallons of water on the affected area, and helicopters dipping their water bombs into nearby lakes in order to return to the scene to douse the flames.

This time, the fire took hold perilously close to the main resort of Marbella. Fire took hold in the foothills of the famous La Concha mountain at around 3pm, not far from luxury villas in Sierra Blanca, and although the authorities were quick to respond, it wasn´t until approximately 8.30pm the same day that the fire was under some semblance of control.

While I was at the gym at Monte Paraiso in Sierra Blanca the following morning, the helicopters were still at it – swooping to refill their water supplies in the lake on the golf course – quite an eerie sight, especially being so close to the action. I could even feel the breeze on my face from the helicopter rotor blades as I ran on the treadmill on the terrace overlooking the lake.