Wildfire in Vall d'Uixó: 76,000 People Affected and Civil War Ordnance Explosions Hamper Containment

• A wildfire that began on Saturday, July 25, in the surroundings of Vall d'Uixó has affected 76,000 people across 21 municipalities.
• Approximately 7,000 hectares of land have burned, with flames reaching up to 20 meters in height.
• Emergency crews face significant danger as the fire triggers explosions of unexploded artillery shells from the Spanish Civil War.

Fire Dynamics and Context

• Extreme heat, strong westerly winds, and low humidity caused the fire to spread rapidly over a 48-kilometer perimeter.
• Experts attribute the intensity to 40 years of abandoned forest land, which allowed fuel to accumulate; officials noted that the accumulated fuel is now being consumed in a matter of hours.
• Conditions improved on Monday due to a shift in wind and increased sea breeze humidity.

Impacted Areas and Response

• Numerous municipalities, including la Vilavella, Almedíjar, and Azuébar, were evacuated.
• Parts of Vall d’Uixó, Betxí, and Onda remain under containment or confinement orders.
• Aerial and ground units are currently prioritizing the Eslida area and the Monserrat urbanization in Betxí due to high propagation risks.

Civil War Hazards

• The fire is moving through the Sierra de Espadán, historically the location of the 'Línea XYZ' defense line during the Spanish Civil War.
• Residual artillery shells are detonating upon contact with the heat, forcing firefighting crews to pull back for safety.
• Authorities are currently investigating the origin of the fire, with preliminary reports suggesting it was not caused by natural factors.