The Town Hall of Ares del Maestrat, following recommendations from the Generalitat, has decided to close the natural site of La Mola and cancel the planned festivities for Wednesday, the day of the solar eclipse. Mayor José Luis Marqués explained that an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 visitors were expected, and the municipality lacks the necessary resources to manage such a large influx of people.
The festival committee, considering the extremely dry terrain, adverse weather conditions, and the recent fire in the neighboring town of Catí, has opted to suspend the events. The spokesperson for the Festival Committee, Masse Ribera, stated, "We have decided to suspend them, and everyone will assume the risk and do as they see fit. But we have made this decision out of respect and conscience."
La Mola d'Ares, standing between 1,200 and 1,323 meters in altitude, holds dual protection as a "local natural site" and for its flora micro-reserves. Awareness of the territory and the risks associated with a massive arrival of people were key factors in this decision. This area, a botanical relic preserved by its altitude and solitude, could be irreversibly affected by a mass event.
