Emergency services in Castellón have spent the night working to contain a wildfire near Segorbe, keeping the flames from reaching the municipality of Gátova. The fire began Thursday night after a lightning strike and has burned 633 hectares, forcing around 1,000 people to evacuate Gátova, information from regional authorities. Its perimeter stretches 15 kilometers. The blaze affected the Serra Calderona natural-park area, a protected field between Segorbe and Gátova.
Firefighters, supported by 25 aircraft and helicopters, 14 provided by the regional government, have concentrated resources on stopping the fire from crossing the CV-25, the basic access route to Gátova. Heavy machinery was deployed overnight, when higher humidity and lighter winds gave crews a chance to reinforce defensive lines. The Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME), forest and provincial firefighters, police and Red Cross teams are involved, with about 350 personnel on the ground.
Authorities say the night was relatively calm, with humidity above 70% and mild winds helping to slow the fire’s advance. But officials warn that conditions could worsen during the central hours of the day, when higher temperatures and shifting winds may lead to more aggressive fire behavior. Raúl Gil, director of the Advanced Command Post for the Castellón Provincial Fire Consortium, said the night had allowed crews to work effectively. He cautioned that the fire remained active and conditions could change rapidly.
On Friday, the Generalitat Valenciana issued two Es-Alert warnings to Gátova residents. The first advised them to stay indoors because of smoke; the second, sent later in the afternoon, ordered a full evacuation. Gátova’s population can reach 1,000 in summer. Of those evacuated, 37 people and 10 pets were accommodated at Bétera’s municipal sports center, while several dependent residents were relocated to a care facility in Carlet. The evacuation order remained in effect as of Saturday morning.
The Spanish Meteorological Agency (Aemet) forecasts that easterly and southeasterly winds could intensify in the afternoon, with gusts exceeding 30 km/h in the fire zone. Some low cloud cover is present, but rain is not expected to aid firefighting efforts. Emergency teams remain concerned about the vulnerability of the local forest, especially during the peak daytime heat.
The emergency developed in stages: on 22 August, firefighters had contained the blaze, but Gátova residents were still not authorized to return while the threat persisted. On 23 August, the situation was described as “very favorable,” and residents were able to go home. The distinction between containing a fire and lifting evacuation restrictions reflected the continuing need to protect the municipality while crews dealt with the incident.
Wildfires have become a recurring challenge in Spain, with recent years marked by severe incidents and pressure on resources. A related report on firefighter shortages and equipment issues in Castilla y León described the strain that increasingly frequent and intense fires place on emergency services across the country. The Segorbe fire highlights the risks rural communities face during summer and the need for a rapid, coordinated response.
Spain’s wildfire season typically peaks between June and September, with lightning strikes, high temperatures and dry conditions contributing to outbreaks. Regional governments have invested in aerial firefighting resources and specialized units such as the UME, but the scale of recent fires has tested these capabilities. Reporting by Pablo Plaza in El Día documented the containment on 22 August and Gátova residents’ return the following day. Authorities urged residents to follow official instructions and stay alert to further developments.
