A wildfire that ignited on Sunday in the Ferrer mountain range, between Tarbena and Xalo in the Marina Baixa and Marina Alta regions, has ravaged approximately 800 hectares of land.
Initial investigations suggest that the fire originated from an agricultural burn that spiralled out of control.
This footage was filmed and produced 14 April 2024.
A wildfire that ignited on Sunday in the Ferrer mountain range, between Tarbena and Xalo in the Marina Baixa and Marina Alta regions, has ravaged approximately 800 hectares of land and continues to rage after a "challenging" night for firefighting personnel, as reported by the Emergency Coordination Center of the Valencian Community. Initial investigations suggest that the fire originated from an agricultural burn that spiraled out of control.
Authorities have emphasized the safety of personnel to prevent hazardous situations amidst the rapidly evolving blaze. Following the evacuation of around 180 individuals yesterday, there have been no further evacuations reported. Currently, firefighting efforts involve six aerial units, 12 firefighting teams from the Alicante Provincial Council, 2 forest coordinators, 10 units from the Forest Firefighters of the Generalitat, along with 3 helitanker units and teams from the Emergency Military Unit (UME).
Pilar Bernabe, the Government Delegate in the Valencian Community, announced that around 180 individuals residing in scattered homes in the municipalities of Tarbena and Parcent, as well as a nearby colony, have been evacuated "as a precautionary measure." She noted that there may have been some property damage in the colony, pending confirmation. Currently, no further evacuations are planned.
The Red Cross has established a provisional shelter for affected individuals at the Tarbena Cultural Center, with an initial capacity of 50 places. Additionally, they have deployed eight specialized personnel, including volunteers skilled in setup, operations management, distribution coordination, English and French translation—given that many residents in the area are foreigners—and a psychologist.
The wildfire, which began around 12:20 PM in a challenging terrain with dense forest cover, rapidly spread, prompting the activation of Level 2 of the Special Plan for Forest Fire Risk (PEIF). Access to the fire zone has been restricted via the CV-715 and CV-752 roads, as well as access from Parcent to the north and Bolulla to the south, according to the Generalitat's Emergency department.
