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 at the Fonteta sports hall, which the Red Cross said was quickly converted into a temporary shelter. The fire began in the Gola de Pujol area within the Devesa de El Saler. It has burned more than 31 hectares and now covers a perimeter of 4.2 kilometers.
Firefighting teams from the Generalitat and the Valencia City Fire Department worked overnight to contain the flames. Four Generalitat units and three fire engines, along with eight city fire crews, remained on site. By late afternoon, authorities had raised the emergency response from level 1 to level 2 under the Special Forest Fire Plan (PEIF), prompting the deployment of the third battalion of the Military Emergency Unit (UME).
Basic transport routes, including the CV-500 and CV-421 roads, remain closed to traffic. So does the stretch of El Saler beach between the old sports complex and Sidi. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) reported that overnight conditions were as expected: westerly winds reached 20 to 30 km/h for much of the night before easing to below 20 km/h in the early morning. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
At 17:20 on Thursday, the Generalitat issued an Es-Alert ordering evacuations and giving instructions to people 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 and meet their basic needs while authorities monitor the situation.
The fire comes as Valencia faces a period of extreme weather, with recent nights marked by record-breaking heat. Information from recent reports of unprecedented nighttime temperatures, the region's emergency services face added pressure as they respond to natural disasters and ongoing weather challenges.
Forest fires are a recurring threat in Spain, particularly during periods of high temperatures and dry winds. The response and evacuation in El Saler show the importance of emergency planning in vulnerable areas. Local authorities urge residents to stay informed and follow official guidance on road closures and safety measures.
