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 on Thursday as crews fought to contain a wildfire near Tuéjar, Valencia. The fire has burned 690 hectares and forced evacuations from homes, campsites, and farms. Strong winds and high temperatures made the situation worse, quickly overwhelming 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. Both incidents highlight the risks emergency teams face in these conditions.
The Tuéjar wildfire broke out within the Alto Turia Biosphere Reserve, a protected area recognized for its ecological value.
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, more than 20 ground teams, and the Unidad Militar de Emergencias. The Provincial Fire Consortium described the terrain as difficult, with wind gusts over 30 km/h and humidity below 30 percent, making it easy for the fire to spread.
Authorities evacuated 25 people from a hamlet, a youth camp, and a nearby camping area. Several farms were also cleared as a precaution. The CV-390 road was closed at kilometer 2, complicating access for both emergency crews and residents.
According to Europa Press, the emergency response escalated from situation 1 to situation 2 at approximately 18:55 due to strong winds, prompting the official request for military support from the Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME). The main factors driving the fire's rapid spread were wind gusts over 30 km/h and low humidity, with the exact cause of ignition still under investigation.
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, but afternoon storms could also make the fire worse. The cause of the fire is still unknown, and crews are focused on containment as weather conditions remain unpredictable.
Spain has faced several natural disasters recently, putting emergency response systems under pressure. In Tuéjar, the main goal is to stop the fire's advance and keep people safe.
With temperatures reaching 33°C and shifting winds, the Tuéjar wildfire shows how vulnerable rural Valencia remains to extreme weather and wildfires. The rapid deployment of resources and quick evacuations show that local authorities are acting quickly, but the combination of rough terrain, difficult weather, and an unknown cause makes the job harder. The situation in Tuéjar is a reminder that even with careful planning, wildfires can move faster than expected, and emergency teams must stay alert and ready to adapt.
