AROUND 160 residents and tourists have been evacuated from their homes and campsites after a major forest fire tore through a protected natural park just south of Valencia.
The blaze broke out around 1pm on Thursday in the Devesa del Saler, a coastal green lung located between the city’s southern beaches and the Albufera Natural Park.
Overnight extinguishing efforts by around 250 emergency personnel have successfully contained the 5.5-kilometre perimeter.
The fire has so far burned 370,000 square metres of ecologically valuable land.
Pilar Bernabe, the Government Delegate in the Valencian Community, confirmed the flames had been contained during the night.
“The perimeter of the fire in El Saler has practically not advanced and the aerial resources are already working,” she said.
She warned that crews had to take advantage of the morning’s westerly winds before midday to continue extinguishing the blaze.
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She also praised the evacuated residents and campsite guests for their exemplary behaviour.
“Your homes and belongings will be well protected,” she added.
The displaced residents spent the night in two emergency spaces set up in Valencia, including the Alqueria del Basket and the Font de Sant Lluis pavilion, with the Red Cross providing hygiene kits and meals.
The Military Emergency Unit, a specialised branch of the Spanish armed forces, was drafted in to help tackle the blaze and protect the Saler district.
Road closures remain in place in both directions on the CV-500, which connects Valencia to El Perello, and the CV-421.
A dozen aerial resources joined the firefighting efforts at first light to conduct direct attacks on the flames and cool hot spots on the right flank.
However, emergency services are bracing for a critical midday wind shift.
The State Meteorological Agency, Spain’s national weather service, warned that winds will turn southerly and become drier, complicating the containment efforts.
It comes as the agency confirmed that Valencia is currently experiencing its hottest July and August period since records began in 1869.
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