The fire, which has spread rapidly through the foothills of Mount Montí, has left the Santa Bárbara hermitage surrounded by flames and under a significant concentration of smoke. Emergency conditions prevent access to the site for a technical inspection of potential structural damage to the building.
The flames reaching this area of great heritage and symbolic value for residents coincides with the preventive confinement decreed throughout the municipality of Onda. Authorities urge citizens to remain indoors, keep doors and windows closed, and avoid unnecessary travel. The use of FFP2 masks is also recommended due to the high smoke density.
Although the fire has not entered the urban center, the main threat is located in the forest mass, particularly around Montí. Therefore, the hamlet of Artesa and surrounding scattered settlements have been preemptively evacuated. The Onda City Council maintains its emergency services activated and has set up public facilities to accommodate evacuated residents.
The forest fire, which has provisionally burned approximately 8,500 hectares with a perimeter of 72 kilometers, remains active. Over 400 ground personnel are working to contain the advance towards the Sierra de Espadán Natural Park. Thirty-four aerial resources have been deployed, but smoke has hampered water drops in some sectors.
The reactivation of the perimeter in the Artana sector has complicated firefighting efforts. Officials warn that despite a slight nocturnal improvement, the fire is not stabilized. While some residents of Vall d'Uixó and La Vilavella can return home, Onda and Betxí remain confined, and evacuations continue in Tales, Artana, Eslida, Aín, l’Alcúdia de Veo, Sueras, Chóvar, and the hamlet of Artesa.
The utmost priority of the work is to safeguard public safety and protect homes. The public is urged to rely exclusively on official institutional channels for information, strictly avoiding the spread of rumors.
