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Wildfire forces evacuation of hundreds in Spain's Valencia region

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • A wildfire in Spain's Valencia region forced the evacuation of the town of Gátova, with hundreds of residents ordered to flee south.
  • The fire, ignited by a lightning strike in the Sierra Calderona Natural Park, is being battled by the Military Unit of Emergencies, firefighters, and helicopters.
  • Spain has already experienced over 297,000 hectares of burned land due to 425 wildfires this year, exacerbated by drought and high temperatures linked to climate change.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from the town of Gátova in Spain's Valencia region as a wildfire rapidly approached. An automated emergency alert was sent to mobile phones, ordering residents to move south immediately.

Gátova, which normally has about 450 inhabitants, sees its population double in the summer months. Television footage showed flames nearing built-up areas, with thick smoke blanketing the small town. The fire started late Thursday evening in the Sierra Calderona Natural Park, reportedly caused by a lightning strike.

The Military Unit of Emergencies (UME), along with numerous firefighters and water-dropping helicopters, are engaged in combating the blaze. Spain's vegetation is highly flammable due to drought and record temperatures, conditions often attributed to climate change.

This year has been particularly severe for wildfires in Spain. According to the European Commission's Forest Fire Information System, 425 wildfires have already consumed more than 297,000 hectares of land, an area larger than the German state of Saarland.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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