The Vall d'Uixó fire has already devastated 7,200 hectares and Sánchez warns after visiting the area: "Difficult hours remain"

The Vall d'Uixó forest fire has already devastated some 7,200 hectares and reached an approximate perimeter of 67 kilometers after advancing in recent hours through the Sierra de Espadán area. The fire remains active and those responsible for the operation rule out that it can be stabilized this Monday, although the improvement in humidity has allowed work on some sectors that were previously inaccessible.

The affected area has increased by about 600 hectares since the balance offered on Sunday and the perimeter has gone from 48 to 67 kilometers. More than 16,000 people remain evacuated, while confinements continue in Vall d'Uixó, Betxí and Onda. Around 75,000 residents are affected by some of the restrictions adopted since the beginning of the emergency.

Pedro Sánchez visited the Advanced Command Post this Monday along with the president of the Generalitat Valenciana, Juanfran Pérez Llorca. After meeting with those responsible for the extinction, the head of the Executive has warned that there are still "difficult and complex hours" ahead due to the increase in temperatures and the new heat wave announced for this week.

"We are going to have an increase in temperatures in the coming hours and in the coming days," said Sánchez, who has asked for "understanding" from the evacuated and confined people. The president has also urged the population to exercise extreme caution and only consult official communications given the hoaxes circulating on social media.

Sánchez announces the declaration of a severely affected area

The president has confirmed that the Council of Ministers will approve this Tuesday the declaration of the areas punished by the fires as severely affected by a Civil Protection emergency. The measure will include the damaged territories in Castellón and the large fires that remain active in Madrid, Ávila and Toledo.

The Government sub-delegations will begin to work with the city councils, provincial councils, and autonomous communities to assess the damages suffered by homes, agricultural exploitations, businesses, and infrastructures. Sánchez has guaranteed that the Executive will accompany the municipalities during the recovery and reconstruction once the emergency concludes.

The head of the Executive has also defended the cooperation maintained between the administrations and has insisted on promoting a State pact against climate emergency. "We have to be in prevention so that the response is less severe and the recovery much faster," he affirmed during his appearance in Vall d'Uixó.

AEMET has issued a special warning this Monday for a new heatwave that will begin on Wednesday and will last, at least, until Sunday. The forecast includes temperatures above 40 degrees in several areas of the country and a new increase in the risk of fire, with a 70% probability that the announced episode will occur.

Three points hinder the stabilization of the fire

The operation concentrates its efforts in Eslida, the Montserrat urbanization in Betxí, and the Montí area, in Onda, where reactivations have been registered and there are still open areas through which the fire can advance into the natural park. The wind, with gusts expected of up to 30 kilometers per hour, continues to be the main threat during the afternoon.

"It is neither controlled nor stabilized," warned the Extinction Director, Fernando Pérez. The nocturnal humidity, between 70% and 80%, offered a favorable window during the early morning, although the rise in temperatures has again complicated the work of ground and air resources.

More than 400 ground personnel and 25 air resources coordinated by the Generalitat are participating in the area. The State has also deployed 137 members of the UME, 53 professionals from Ecological Transition, and 388 agents of the Civil Guard. The port of Sagunto remains closed to facilitate the water loading of the aircraft involved in the extinction.

Evacuations and confinements will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. this Monday, although the Cecopi may modify them if the evolution of the fire allows it. Authorities have asked residents not to return on their own to the evacuated areas, even when they can no longer observe flames or smoke columns from their localities.

The fire has forced the suspension of non-essential work activity and municipal activities in Vall d'Uixó, Betxí, and Onda. A total of 43 people have required medical assistance, mainly due to smoke inhalation, and 19 remain hospitalized. During the weekend, 113 residents of the Novaedat center in Vall d'Uixó were also evacuated.

The Sierra de Espadán covers more than 31,000 hectares and is home to some of the best-preserved cork oak forests in the Valencian Community. Twelve of the evacuated municipalities have all or part of their territory within this protected area, although the real extent of the environmental damage will take time to be known.

The Civil Guard keeps all lines of investigation open regarding the origin of the fire. Seprona has already taken statements from several witnesses after the flames started on Saturday at different consecutive points. Pilar Bernabé has explained that so far there are no indications of a natural cause, although possible intentionality has not yet been confirmed.

Pérez Llorca has asked to wait for the results of the proceedings before attributing responsibilities. The Valencian president has demanded that, if it is proven that the fire was intentionally caused, "the full weight of the law falls" on its perpetrator and that a toughening of penalties for this type of environmental crime be studied.