The fire, which started last Thursday due to a lightning strike during a storm episode, has devastated over 633 hectares within the Serra Calderona Natural Park. After nearly six days of intensive firefighting efforts, firefighters have managed to stabilize and control the flames.
The latest estimate places the affected area at approximately 633 hectares, with a perimeter of about eighteen kilometers. The majority, around 395 hectares (62%), are within the municipality of Sogorb, while the remaining 235 hectares (38%) belong to Gàtova.
The fire's progression worsened significantly on Friday, showing aggressive behavior in some areas and making access difficult for ground teams due to the complex terrain. At its peak intensity, the operation involved hundreds of personnel and numerous aerial resources, including the Military Emergencies Unit (UME).
The spread of the flames led to the evacuation of Gàtova on Friday, following an initial confinement due to dense smoke. Approximately a thousand residents had to leave the town and were housed at the sports center in Bétera. Residents were able to return on Sunday, advised to stay indoors, and the Generalitat definitively lifted the confinement on Monday. The main access road to the town, the CV-25, has also reopened, although forest paths and park entrances remain closed.
In recent days, teams have continued working to cool the perimeter and prevent flare-ups. Early this morning, three units of the Generalitat's forest firefighters, two water tenders, personnel from the consortia of Castellón and Valencia, and a specialized unit were still involved in the operations.
