Huge wildfire in Valencia region burns 690 hectares after Spain’s hottest summer
Spain’s firefighters were battling a major wildfire in Tuéjar, in the Valencia region, on 15 September, after flames spread through the Alto Turia Biosphere Reserve.
A massive wildfire erupted in the Valencia region of Spain, consuming approximately 690 hectares by early Wednesday morning. The flames extended along a perimeter of 17 kilometers, forcing emergency responders to deploy fire engines, helicopters, and aircraft to combat the blaze. The dense and challenging terrain hampered firefighting efforts.
The Emergency Military Unit (UME) joined the operation overnight, leveraging vehicles, drones, and aircraft to monitor and suppress the fire. Footage from September 15th depicted firefighters clearing vegetation and working throughout the night to thwart the flames, especially in the direction of the Benagéber reservoir. Two forest firefighters sustained minor injuries - one received burns, while another sustained bruises when a fire engine overturned.
The wildfire prompted the precautionary evacuation of a campsite and several farms in the vicinity. This incident occurred amidst an exceptionally hot summer across Europe, with Spain recording its hottest summer since 1961. By early September, nearly 296,000 hectares had been burned by wildfires nationwide. The cause of the Tuéjar fire remains undetermined as authorities investigate its possible origin, as strong winds and low humidity continue to exacerbate the flames.
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