A fast-moving wildfire that broke out on July 26 near La Vall d'Uixó in the province of Castellón has forced the evacuation of roughly 15,000 to 16,000 residents across more than a dozen municipalities, with firefighters declaring the blaze beyond their current suppression capacity.
Authorities suspect the fire was deliberately set, noting that multiple ignition points were detected from 09:30 local time. More than 300 personnel and 14 aircraft have been deployed to battle the flames, which have traced a perimeter of 21 kilometres. At least seven people have been injured, including patients admitted for smoke inhalation and one transferred to a burns unit.
The Generalitat Valenciana issued an emergency alert urging residents in affected areas to shelter indoors, seal windows and ventilation systems, and switch off air conditioning units.