A wildfire with several fronts in La Vall d'Uixó (Castellón) has forced the evacuation of 15,000 people and has caused six injuries, three of whom were admitted for smoke inhalation. The flames, beyond extinguishing capacity, have entered the Sierra de Espadán natural park.
The wildfire declared this Saturday in La Vall d'Uixó, in the province of Castellón, has forced the evacuation of nearly 15,000 people from about fifteen municipalities and has left six injured, three of whom were admitted to La Plana hospital for smoke inhalation. The fire, which started with several active fronts in the morning, has spread rapidly due to adverse weather conditions: temperatures close to 38 degrees, wind gusts of between 30 and 50 km/h, and a relative humidity of 10%.
The president of the Generalitat Valenciana, Juanfran Pérez Llorca, has stated that the fire is beyond extinguishing capacity. “The fire is out of control and the priority is to protect people,” he affirmed after visiting the coordination centre. The flames have entered the Sierra de Espadán natural park, a protected area of high ecological value, and are advancing on two fronts that particularly concern the firefighting teams.
The municipalities evacuated either totally or partially include Aín, Alcúdia de Veo, Artesa, Alfondeguilla, Tales, Eslida, Vilavella, Artana, Sueras, Villamalur, Torralba, Ayódar, Fuentes de Ayódar, Chóvar, urbanisations in Betxí, and some areas of La Vall d'Uixó. Additionally, the municipalities of Betxí and La Vall d'Uixó have been confined, affecting around 32,000 people. Civil Protection is urging residents to avoid movement outside urban areas and to follow the instructions of security forces.
The firefighting director, Fernando Pérez, has confirmed that the fire has already reached the castle of La Vall d'Uixó, an area of great natural value. “It has spread very rapidly towards the foothills of the castle,” detailed the municipality's Environmental Councillor, Marc Seguer. The priority for the teams has been to preserve the urbanisations and urban centres, before focusing on controlling the fire in the forested area.
In the firefighting efforts, 300 personnel and 14 aerial resources are working, to which the Military Emergency Unit (UME) has joined. The Minister of Science and Secretary General of the PSPV, Diana Morant, has announced that reinforcements from the fires in Madrid and Ávila will arrive this Sunday. “The technicians consider that the fire is out of control; the most important thing is to heed the instructions of the security forces, especially regarding evacuations,” she declared.
The Government Delegate in the Valencian Community, Pilar Bernabé, has indicated that Seprona is investigating the origin of the fire and has reiterated the central government's commitment to collaborate with the Generalitat for extinguishing efforts. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Equality has relocated dependent individuals from Artana and La Vilavella to the public residence in Borriana.
To accommodate the evacuees, spaces have been set up in several municipalities. In Nules, the municipal sports centre has beds for 150 people and dinner is being prepared for about 600. It is receiving both residents of La Vilavella and Artana. Evacuees from Eslida have accommodation in the Onda pavilion. Spaces managed by the Red Cross have also been set up in Moncofa and Segorbe.
The mayor of Artana, Benjamín Llidó, explained that the evacuation is being carried out as a preventive measure. “The flames are very close, entering the population,” reported the peace judge of La Vilavella. The CV-223 road remains closed at the height of Artana.
The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has confirmed that the smoke column from the fire extends more than 300 kilometres into the Mediterranean. Weather conditions are not expected to improve in the coming hours: the westerly wind will continue with gusts of 40 to 50 km/h, which will hinder firefighting efforts during the night and on Sunday.
Residents in the area must remain alert to Civil Protection warnings and follow the instructions of the authorities. It is recommended to avoid unnecessary travel and keep windows closed in confined areas. Emergency teams continue to work to control the 21-kilometre perimeter encompassing the fire.
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