Two firefighters suffered minor injuries as a wildfire near Tuéjar burned 690 hectares. Strong winds and low humidity fueled the spread. Authorities evacuated campsites and farms as emergency crews battled the flames.
Two firefighters were injured Thursday as crews fought to contain a wildfire near Tuéjar, Valencia. The fire has burned 690 hectares and forced evacuations from homes and campsites, with farms also cleared. Strong winds and high temperatures quickly overwhelmed early efforts to control the flames after the fire started near the Cueva de las Palomas.
One firefighter was taken to La Fe hospital with minor burns. Another was treated for bruises at Llíria after a fire engine accident. The fire broke out within the Alto Turia Biosphere Reserve, a protected area recognized for its ecological value, El País reported.
By Thursday evening, the fire's perimeter had reached 17 kilometers. Emergency chief Juan Carlos Valderrama raised the alert to level 2 of the Special Forest Fire Plan (PEIF), bringing in 14 aircraft and more than 20 ground teams. The Unidad Militar de Emergencias also joined the response. The Provincial Fire Consortium described the terrain as difficult, with wind gusts over 30 km/h and humidity below 30 percent, conditions that allowed the fire to spread easily.
Europa Press reported that the emergency response escalated from situation 1 to situation 2 at approximately 18:55 because of strong winds, prompting an official request for military support from the Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME). Wind gusts over 30 km/h and low humidity drove the fire's rapid spread; the exact cause of ignition remained under investigation.
Authorities evacuated 25 people from a hamlet and youth camp, with a nearby camping area also evacuated. Several farms were cleared as a precaution. The CV-390 road was closed at kilometer 2, complicating access for emergency crews and residents.
Officials are watching the fire's movement toward the western side of the Benagéber reservoir. A change in wind direction could push the flames into areas already burned, while afternoon storms could also worsen the fire. Its cause remains unknown, and crews are focused on containment as weather conditions remain unpredictable.
Spain has faced several natural disasters recently. They have put emergency response systems under pressure. In Tuéjar, the basic goal is to stop the fire's advance and keep people safe.
Temperatures reached 33°C amid shifting winds.
