The fire that broke out on Saturday in Vall d'Uixó remains active and uncontrolled, with 10,000 hectares burned and 10,000 evacuated. Confinement is partially lifted in La Vilavella, Betxí, and Onda.
The forest fire that began last Saturday in Vall d'Uixó, in the province of Castellón, continues to be active and uncontrolled after already devastating around 10,000 hectares, with a perimeter of 75.5 kilometres. This was announced on Tuesday by the Emergency Minister, Juan Carlos Valderrama, following the Cecopi meeting at the Advanced Command Post (PMA) in Vall d'Uixó.
The minister reported that partial confinement has been lifted in the municipalities of La Vilavella, Betxí, and Onda. In La Vilavella, confinement has been completely lifted, although the consumption of bottled water is recommended for 72 hours. In Betxí and Onda, confinement continues in the Nueva Onda urbanisation, while the Solaig, Monserrat in Onda, and Peña Negra in Betxí urbanisations, as well as the Artesa district, remain evacuated.
The number of evacuated people remains at 10,000. During the day, weather conditions have hindered the work of aerial resources, which were unable to operate until five in the afternoon in the most problematic areas, such as Tales and Alcudia de Veo. The thermal inversion has caused smoke to accumulate at the surface, preventing the action of the 34 aerial resources deployed.
The operational director of the PMA, Fernando Pérez, explained that the thermal inversion has forced a reassessment of the extinguishing strategy. Following the change in conditions, aerial resources have been able to work, and the night strategy with ground resources has been reassessed. The most problematic areas continue to be the Tales-Benitandús-Veo-Alcudia de Veo axis and the road from Artana to Eslida.
The Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant, present at the meeting, highlighted that there have been no reported loss of human life, which is a priority in this emergency. She praised the work of the emergency services and reported that the Military Emergency Unit (UME) has increased its personnel on the ground.
Morant reminded that the Council of Ministers has approved the declaration of an area affected by civil protection emergency, a mechanism that activates aid for those affected. As a result of the fire, eight roads remain closed: CV-200 in Aín, CV-203 in Caudiel, CV-205 in Tales, CV-215 in l’Alcúdia de Veo, CV-219 in Eslida, CV-223 in Nules, and CV-2261 and CV-230 in Vall d’Uixó.
For the residents of Mallorca, although the fire does not directly affect the island, it serves as a reminder of the importance of forest fire prevention, especially during periods of drought and high temperatures. Authorities recommend taking extreme precautions and following the instructions of emergency services in case of fire.
The Cecopi will meet again at nine in the morning on Wednesday to assess the evolution of the fire and adopt new measures.
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