The Generalitat Valenciana has approved €67 million in aid for those impacted by the La Vall d’Uixó wildfire. The package includes direct payments, municipal support, and interest-free loans. Applications open from August 10.
The Generalitat Valenciana has launched a €67 million emergency aid package for residents, businesses, and farmers affected by the devastating wildfire in La Vall d’Uixó, Castellón. The fire, which has been burning since last Saturday, has already destroyed 9,600 hectares, prompting urgent action from regional authorities.
Of the total funds, €12 million will be distributed as direct aid to individuals and sectors hit hardest, €5 million will go to local councils, and €50 million is earmarked for interest-free loans through the Institut Valencià de Finances (IVF). The president of the Generalitat, Juanfran Pérez Llorca, announced the measures following a special Consell meeting, emphasizing the need for rapid and accessible support for those who have lost homes, vehicles, or livelihoods.
Applications for assistance will be accepted from August 10 for a period of three months. The process is designed to be straightforward, with a simple application form available at local town halls. In cases where fire damage has destroyed documentation, a sworn statement will suffice, and payments will be made via direct bank transfer.
The aid is structured around four main pillars: direct support for affected individuals and sectors, extraordinary backing for municipalities, enhanced forest surveillance, and a comprehensive recovery and reforestation plan for the damaged area. Families who have lost their primary residence can receive up to €20,000, while those with structural or non-structural damage are eligible for €15,000 and €6,000 respectively. Additional funds are available for essential household goods, secondary residences, and temporary rental support, with up to €800 per month for up to 14 months if no alternative housing is available.
Vehicle owners can claim €2,000 for lost private cars, €2,500 for adapted vehicles, €750 for motorcycles, and up to €15,000 for vehicles tied to economic activity. Agricultural and livestock operations are also covered, with €15,000 per affected farm, plus compensation for lost livestock, and up to €6,000 per hectare for irrigated land. Dryland farms, forestry plots, and agricultural equipment are also eligible for varying levels of support.
For self-employed workers and small businesses, the Generalitat will provide up to €1,000 per affected person, and a one-time payment of €360 for employees placed on temporary layoff (ERTE) due to the fire. Municipalities and irrigation communities facing infrastructure damage will receive an initial €200,000 each for urgent repairs. The towns included are La Vall d’Uixó, Betxí, Onda, La Vila Vella, Artana, Eslida, Aín, Alcudia de Veo, Tales, Alfondeguilla, Nules, and Chóvar.
Forest surveillance will be reinforced with 118 additional rangers and over 35,000 extra hours of monitoring, backed by an investment exceeding €1.1 million. This measure aims to ensure permanent vigilance across the region’s 78 forest prevention units, especially during periods of extreme risk. Early indications suggest the fire may have been deliberately set, according to Pérez Llorca.
In parallel, the Generalitat will develop a comprehensive reforestation and environmental recovery plan to restore the landscape, biodiversity, and water resources of the affected area. This initiative is intended to help the region recover both ecologically and economically in the aftermath of the disaster.
Wildfires are a recurring threat in Spain, particularly during the hot, dry summer months. The La Vall d’Uixó incident highlights the vulnerability of rural and forested areas in the Valencian Community. In recent years, authorities have increased investment in fire prevention and emergency response, but climate conditions and human activity continue to pose significant challenges. The new aid package reflects a broader trend in Spanish regional policy to provide rapid, targeted support to communities facing natural disasters, aiming to minimize long-term social and economic disruption.
