Hundreds leave their homes due to forest fires
Extreme heat affecting Spain's Valencia region has led to the growth of forest fires; 500 people living in the Soneja and Azuebar districts have been evacuated for safety reasons.
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As Spain battles a heatwave for the second time this summer, forest fires breaking out in different parts of the country have put authorities on alert. Large fires that started in the city of Castellon, in the Valencia region, have particularly worried the public.
Authorities announced that 500 people were temporarily evacuated from their homes in Soneja and Azuebar as flames dangerously approached residential areas. Approximately 200 personnel and 15 aircraft are working intensively on firefighting efforts.
As part of the response to the forest fires, Spain's Military Emergencies Unit (UME) has deployed 50 soldiers and 17 vehicles to support the region. UME officials emphasized that all necessary measures are being taken to bring the fire under control.
Experts state that temperatures have exceeded 42 degrees in some regions, causing the fire risk to reach an extraordinary level. The Civil Protection agency announced that some natural parks in the cities of Girona and Lleida in Catalonia have been closed to visitors due to the high probability of fire.
Meteorologists predict that the heatwave will continue to affect the country until July 10. While Spain has faced fires in many regions since the beginning of summer, particularly in Catalonia, Aragon, Asturias, Andalusia, and Galicia, it is reported that the risk remains high following this latest development in Valencia.