Spain experienced its first significant wildfire of the year, with over 4,000 hectares of forest burning and 1,500 villagers evacuated from their homes in the Valencia region. The high temperatures worsened the wildfire, making it more “voracious,” with many residents forced to leave their animals behind. Firefighters managed to prevent the fire from spreading to other areas. Investigations are ongoing, but it is believed that the fire may have been started by a spark from a machine used to gather brushwood. The danger of wildfires is a growing concern in southern Europe, with an unusually dry winter heightening the risk of a repeat of last year’s devastating wildfires. Last year, European Commission statistics revealed that over 785,000 hectares were destroyed in Europe, more than double the annual average of the past 16 years. In Spain alone, 493 fires destroyed a record 307,000 hectares of land.
Evacuated Villagers Forced to Leave Animals Behind as Wildfire Scorches More Than 4,000 Hectares in Spain
Spain has experienced its first major wildfire of the year, with over 4,000 hectares (9,900 acres) of forest scorched and 1,500 villagers in the Valencia region being forced to leave their homes. As residents fled their homes, many were forced to leave their animals behind, and emotions were high. “Bad, how am I supposed to feel? Your town is burning, your life is burning, Our animals were there and no one can tell us anything,” said Antonio Zarzoso, a 24-year-old from the village of Puebla de Arenoso.
More than 500 firefighters were working to control the blaze, which was near the village of Villanueva de Viver. Twenty planes and helicopters supported them in their efforts to contain the fire. Fortunately, they were able to prevent the fire from spreading to other areas. However, many villagers were unsure of what to expect when they returned home. “The surrounding forest has been reached by fire, and we don’t know how exactly the area looks,” said Montse Boronat, from Los Calpes.
The heatwave in the area made the wildfire even more “voracious,” according to Ximo Puig, the president of the Valencia region. Temperatures reached 30 Celsius (86 Fahrenheit), similar to what is expected in the summer months. It is believed that the fire may have started due to a spark from a machine used to gather brushwood, although investigations are still ongoing.
The danger of wildfires is a growing concern in southern Europe, with an unusually dry winter heightening the risk of a repeat of last year’s devastating wildfires. The meteorological agency AEMET has warned that the weather will be drier and hotter than usual this spring along Spain’s northeastern Mediterranean coast, increasing the risk of fires. Last year, European Commission statistics revealed that over 785,000 hectares were destroyed in Europe, more than double the annual average of the past 16 years. In Spain alone, 493 fires destroyed a record 307,000 hectares of land, as reported by the Commission’s European Forest Fire Information System.
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