A wildfire near El Saler led to the overnight evacuation of 161 people. Residents and campers spent the night in a converted sports hall. Emergency crews continue to battle the blaze as key roads remain closed.
Emergency services in Valencia evacuated 161 people from El Saler and two local campsites after a forest fire broke out on Thursday afternoon. Those displaced spent the night in the Fonteta sports hall, which was rapidly adapted to serve as a temporary shelter, according to the Red Cross. The fire, which started in the Gola de Pujol area within the Devesa de El Saler, has already burned more than 31 hectares and now covers a perimeter of 4.2 kilometers.
Throughout the night, firefighting teams from the Generalitat and the Valencia City Fire Department worked to contain the flames. Four units and three fire engines from the Generalitat, along with eight city fire crews, remained on site. The situation prompted authorities to escalate the emergency response from level 1 to level 2 under the Special Forest Fire Plan (PEIF) by late afternoon, leading to the deployment of the third battalion of the Military Emergency Unit (UME).
Key transport routes, including the CV-500 and CV-421 roads, as well as the stretch between El Saler beach from the old sports complex to Sidi, remain closed to traffic. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) reported that overnight conditions were as expected, with westerly winds reaching 20 to 30 km/h for much of the night before easing to below 20 km/h in the early morning hours. The cause of the fire is still unknown.
At 17:20 on Thursday, the Generalitat issued an Es-Alert to order evacuations and provide instructions to those in the affected area. The Integrated Operational Coordination Center (Cecopi) scheduled a meeting for 9 a.m. Friday to assess the fire's progression and coordinate further action. The Red Cross continues to support evacuees at the Fonteta facility, ensuring basic needs are met while authorities monitor the evolving situation.
This incident comes as Valencia faces a period of extreme weather, with recent nights marked by record-breaking heat. According to recent reports of unprecedented nighttime temperatures, the region's emergency services are under additional pressure as they respond to both natural disasters and ongoing weather challenges.
Forest fires are a recurring threat in Spain, particularly during periods of high temperatures and dry winds. The rapid response and coordinated evacuation efforts in El Saler highlight the importance of emergency planning in vulnerable areas. As the situation develops, local authorities urge residents to stay informed and follow official guidance regarding road closures and safety measures.
