The City Council of Valencia has implemented extraordinary measures to protect the Devesa del Saler against the extreme risk of forest fires and the red alert for high temperatures decreed for today, Wednesday, August 19. Since early morning, access to this important forest mass south of the city has been closed, restricting the movement of vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians until next Friday inclusive.
As a preventive measure, the 11 SIDEINFO cannons in the forest have been activated to increase vegetation humidity, reduce ambient temperature, and create corridors that facilitate safe evacuation in case of fire. In parallel, the Firefighters of the City Council of Valencia are cooling the area near the residential blocks in the Gola de Pujol, a location that has suffered large-scale fires in previous years. These actions are being taken due to the forecast of maximum temperatures that could reach 43 degrees Celsius due to the westerly wind.
The Councilor for Emergencies, Juan Carlos Caballero, has called on citizens to follow the authorities' instructions and maintain a culture of prevention. He emphasized the importance of staying hydrated, avoiding sun exposure and physical exertion during peak heat hours, paying special attention to the elderly, children, and vulnerable individuals. Firefighters, Local Police, Forest Rangers, and Civil Protection personnel permanently monitor the forest.
Restrictions include the prohibition of circulation on tracks and paths, except for management, maintenance vehicles, or residents. Lighting fires in forest areas is also prohibited, and works and recreational activities are suspended. The councilor highlighted the reinforcement of personnel and resources to address any risk in the Devesa.
In response to the red alert for heat, Valencia has also established a network of climate shelters and 77 PUSDAR urban fountains with refrigerated water to help citizens combat high temperatures. All information about these spaces and protection tips is available on the València Sostenible website.
