Flames are spreading across difficult terrain near a popular summer village, while emergency crews race to protect residents and contain the growing danger.
In eastern Spain, a large wildfire has prompted the evacuation of approximately one thousand people. The fire broke out near the village of Gátova, not far from Valencia.
Juan Carlos Valderrama, the civil protection minister of the Valencian autonomous community, said bus transport to safe locations had been arranged for municipal residents without their own vehicles.
Wildfire near Gátova has spread across more than 400 hectares
The blaze is believed to have started after a lightning strike late on Thursday evening. By Friday evening, the fire had spread across more than 400 hectares, and authorities had not yet managed to contain it.
Firefighting efforts are being complicated by the difficult-to-access terrain. The UME military emergency unit, fire crews, and aircraft, including helicopters and planes, have been deployed to battle the blaze.
RTVE reports that around 450 people live in Gátova permanently. During the summer, the village’s population nearly doubles due to the arrival of holidaymakers.
Wildfires in Spain: the consequences of heat and drought
The European Forest Fire Information System, EFFIS, has recorded 425 wildfires in Spain since the beginning of the year. The fires have already destroyed more than 297,000 hectares.
Prolonged drought and record-high temperatures are drying out vegetation, allowing flames to spread rapidly and making the work of emergency services considerably more difficult.