The first big fire of the year caused by the drought has affected Spain for two days. Firefighters are still battling the flames this Saturday, March 25.
A major forest fire has broken out in eastern Spain, destroying more than 3,000 hectares and leading to the evacuation of 1,500 people, authorities said. More than 500 firefighters, planes and helicopters were mobilized on Thursday and Friday to put out the fire near the village of Villanueva de Viver, in the Valencia region.
A fire because of the wind and “almost summer temperatures”
Firefighters believe they have the blaze under control, but strong winds and “almost summer temperatures” could revive it, said Gabriela Bravo, internal affairs officer for the Valencia region. Forest fires last year destroyed 307,000 hectares in Spain, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).
Images
The 43 Group was working yesterday to put out a fire in Villanueva de Viver (Castellón) ud83dudd25ud83cudf33ud83dudd25
For this, two planes were used that made 12 downloads and a total of 8 flight hours u2708ufe0f ud83dudca6ud83dudd25 pic.twitter.com/u9ChlU2SBX
— Air and Space Army (@EjercitoAire) March 24, 2023
Spain’s first major fire of 2023, in the Valencia region, continued into Friday night, destroying more than 3,000 hectares of forest and forcing 1,500 residents from their homes, authorities said. pic.twitter.com/romz5ZOlqh
— TRT French (@trtfrancais) March 25, 2023