The fire, which originated in the municipality of Segorbe (Alto Palancia) but very close to the urban center of Gátova (Camp de Túria), is spreading uncontrollably and has already consumed over 130 hectares. The fire has at least three fronts with difficult terrain, complicating the efforts of the anti-fire units.
Through the Es-Alert tool, Civil Protection has asked Gátova residents to remain indoors, closing doors, windows, and ventilation, and turning off air conditioning and extractors to avoid smoke inhalation.
The Emergency service has requested support from the Military Emergencies Unit (UME), which will mobilize its third battalion based in Bétera. Situation 2 of the Special Plan for Forest Fires (PEIF) has been established, indicating a potential serious impact on the population or natural resources.
The autonomous secretary of Emergencies and Interior, Fernando Lasheras, reported from the advanced command post (PMA) in Gátova that all resources from the Valencia and Castellón consortia worked through the night under difficult conditions due to access challenges.
With the incorporation of aerial resources this morning, the situation has improved compared to yesterday. The burned area is estimated at around 133 hectares, all within the municipality of Segorbe, with a perimeter of approximately 7.8 kilometers. Lasheras lamented that the fire is "far from being controlled."
The technical director of the firefighting operation, Pablo Vila, noted that lightning strikes caused simultaneous fires yesterday, requiring maximum effort from the entire operation.
