VALLEY FIRE UPDATE: REPORTED AS “EXTINGUISHED”
The fire is suspected to have been the result of uncontrolled agricultural burning.
UPDATE @ 09:58 16/04/2024: The wildfire that burned several hundred acres has been declared “extinguished”. The cause of the fire is still pending investigation but all indications point to an uncontrolled agricultural burn.
Smoke was reported in the late morning of Saturday 13th May in the area of Camí Vell de Gata – Barranc de l’Hedra on the border between the municipalities of Xàbia and Gata de Gorgos. Fire-fighting units, including air assets, were quickly deployed from the Diputación de Alicante, GVA Forest Fire, Policía Local de Xàbia, Policía Local de Gata de Gorgos and Policía Local de Dénia, Protección Civil volunteers from Xàbia, Gata de Gorgos and Dénia as well as volunteers from the ISVH Balcón al Mar fire unit, Guardia Civil officers from Xàbia, Gata de Gorgos, Calp and El Verger, regional police and the Cruz Roja de Xàbia.
The intensity of the fire, which was burning on two different fronts, forced the closure of the Carretera de Gata between Gata de Gorgos and Xàbia as well as the Camí Vell de Gata, forcing drivers to seek alternative routes between the two municipalities.
By late afternoon, the fire had reached the area of La Rana de Gata de Gorgos, pushed by winds and encouraged by the high temperatures – the thermometer reached 27°c in location in the valley yesterday – making it difficult to control and extinguish the flames. However, all efforts were made to stop the spread and it has been reported that the iconic thousand-year-old olive tree has not been affected. However, in a preventative measure, up to 70 people were forced to abandon their homes as the fire also spread towards Jesús Pobre.
As night fell, the air assets were forced to withdraw but the fire-fighting units continued working through the night to stabilize the fire which had already destroyed about 200 hectares of vegetation.
By the morning of Sunday 14th, the fire had been declared stabilized which meant that, although it was not yet under control, it was no longer spreading along active fronts. Fire-fighting units were re-configured and those who had worked through the night were replaced. Air assets returned to review the area and, as of 09:45, the Carretera de Gata had re-opened but minor roads in the valley area continued to be closed.
At 11:15 Sunday, it was confirmed that residents who had been evacuated as a preventative measure would be allowed to return to their homes after the local police and firefighters reviewed the perimeter of the fire. However, the authorities have called for extreme caution in case of a renewed outbreak of the fire.
At 21:15 Sunday, it was confirmed that the zone remains stabilised and that a brigade of GVA firefighters would remain on site overnight. Camí de l’Assagador de les Valls remains closed and the authorities ask for caution and to avoid travelling through the area.
At 21:03 Monday 15th April, the fire was declared as “controlled” although not extinguished. A firefighting unit from the provincial brigade would remain in situ overnight to continue monitoring and control tasks.
At 09:58 Tuesday 16th April, the fire was declared as “extinguished”; that is, it has been confirmed by units on the ground that there is no possibility that it will re-ignite.
Updates to continue …
