The Marina Alta breathes easier today as the scorching heatwave concludes. The region has overcome the summer's first critical fire incident, with four fires declared and one near-blaze in Xàbia. The rapid response from firefighters, police, and Civil Protection volunteers, along with early intervention by aerial resources, was crucial in preventing significant damage.
Nevertheless, dangerous situations did occur. The most alarming fires were the one at the scrapyard in El Verger, which necessitated residents sheltering indoors due to toxic smoke, and the two fires in Dénia. These latter fires started in vacant lots adjacent to homes and urbanizations, with flames reaching the walls of some houses on the western flank of the city.
The two most recent fires, located in the Girona Riverbed in Beniarbeig and along the Camí de la Bota and the Via Verda in Dénia, were declared extinguished last night at 10:18 PM. Today, natural parks such as Montgó have reopened.
The flames in Dénia spread rapidly through dry vegetation, crossing the Via Verda and endangering rural homes, the HCB Dénia hospital, and several urbanizations. The swift extinguishment averted further danger. The first fire declared in Dénia even burned a section of the dune system at El Raset beach.
