A wildfire that began in Soneja has rapidly advanced toward Azuébar, prompting a full evacuation. Authorities cite strong winds and the fire's proximity to homes as key risks. No injuries reported so far.
Authorities in Castellón have ordered the evacuation of all residents in Azuébar after a wildfire, initially sparked in Soneja, advanced dangerously close to the town's urban center. The decision came as shifting winds pushed flames toward populated areas, raising immediate concerns for public safety and property.
Emergency teams escalated their response on Sunday, deploying a total of eight aerial units—four helicopters and four planes—alongside eight forest firefighting crews from the Generalitat, three of which are helitransported. Additional support includes two forest coordinators, a technical specialist from the Diputación de Castellón fire service, and a 35,000-liter water tanker. The Advanced Command Post (Puesto de Mando Avanzado, PMA) was established to coordinate operations on the ground.
Initially, residents were instructed to remain indoors due to heavy smoke blanketing the streets. However, as the fireline approached the town's edge, the PMA shifted strategy and began a full-scale evacuation. Locals are being relocated to the multipurpose hall in Soneja, where they await updates on the fire's progression. According to Azuébar's mayor, Jessica Miravete, there have been no reported injuries, but it remains unclear whether scattered homes on the outskirts have been affected by the flames.
The wildfire in Soneja is one of two major blazes currently challenging emergency services in Castellón province, with another incident reported in Castellfort. In both cases, rapid deployment of aerial and ground resources has been critical to containment efforts. The situation in Azuébar is being closely monitored, as the fire is now burning on the slope nearest to the town's core.
This incident follows a pattern of severe wildfires in Spain's eastern regions, where strong winds and dry conditions have repeatedly complicated firefighting operations. Earlier, a similar emergency unfolded in Catalonia, where a major blaze forced lockdowns across several municipalities—a situation detailed in this report on the wildfire response in La Bisbal d'Empordà.
Wildfires remain a persistent threat in Spain, particularly during periods of high temperatures and gusty winds. The rapid mobilization of resources and coordinated evacuations are now standard practice in affected regions. While the immediate priority is safeguarding lives, authorities continue to assess the potential impact on homes and infrastructure as the situation develops.
