A fast-moving wildfire in eastern Spain has burned an estimated 633 hectares, forced around 1,000 people to evacuate Gátova and affected part of the Sierra Calderona Natural Park.
The lightning-sparked fire remained active and outside control lines in the latest verified update on Saturday, August 22. Firefighters are tackling two active fronts while trying to protect Gátova and prevent the flames from crossing the CV-25.
No deaths or serious injuries have been officially reported. Authorities have not confirmed widespread destruction of homes, but residents cannot return while changing winds continue to pose a risk.
Latest Sierra Calderona wildfire figures
- Estimated area burned: 633 hectares
- Fire perimeter: About 15 kilometres
- People evacuated: Around 1,000
- Active fronts: Two
- Emergency personnel: Approximately 350
- Aircraft deployed: 25
- Emergency classification: Situation 2
The burned-area estimate remains provisional and could change after further mapping. Officials said not all 633 hectares are inside the Sierra Calderona Natural Park, although part of the protected landscape has been affected.
Where is the wildfire burning?
The fire is burning through rugged forest terrain between Segorbe in Castellón province and Gátova in Valencia province. Sierra Calderona crosses both provinces and contains steep slopes, pine woodland and narrow tracks that limit access for ground crews.
The location requires coordination among Valencia and Castellón fire services, regional forest brigades, municipal crews, security forces and national emergency teams.
Why were 1,000 people evacuated?
Gátova has about 450 registered residents, but its population more than doubles during summer because of visitors and people staying in second homes. This explains why the evacuation figure is much larger than the permanent population.
Residents were initially instructed to remain indoors because of smoke. As the fire moved closer, authorities issued an evacuation order through Spain’s ES-Alert mobile warning system. People left using buses, private vehicles and ambulances, with Olocau and Bétera among the designated destinations.
Most evacuees are staying with relatives or at their primary homes. The Red Cross received 37 people—20 men and 17 women—and 10 pets at the Bétera sports centre.
Emergency teams also moved vulnerable residents to a care facility in Carlet. Eleven young people were evacuated from a supervised centre.
Firefighters defend Gátova and the CV-25
The main operational priority is stopping the flames from reaching Gátova or crossing the CV-25, the principal road serving the town. Emergency restrictions have affected the route between Altura and Olocau.
Approximately 350 personnel are involved, including forest firefighters, provincial and municipal crews, Civil Guard officers, Civil Protection teams, Red Cross workers and Spain’s Military Emergency Unit.
UME personnel are using hose lines, hand tools and heavy machinery to open defensive firebreaks northwest of Gátova. The aerial operation includes 25 aircraft, with 14 supplied by the Valencian government and 11 by the national government.
Wind remains the biggest risk
The fire showed what emergency officials described as violent and extreme behaviour after a sudden change in wind direction. Dry vegetation, drought conditions, heat and steep terrain helped the flames spread quickly.
Aircraft could not operate during the first night, leaving ground crews to work in areas with limited access. Even inside the burned perimeter, unburned vegetation and hot material can produce renewed fire activity.
Conditions improved overnight as humidity rose above 70%, temperatures fell to around 17°C and wind gusts weakened to approximately 10 km/h.
However, easterly and southeasterly gusts above 30 km/h were forecast for Saturday afternoon. Strong winds can push flames into new vegetation, carry embers beyond control lines and complicate water-dropping operations.
What caused the Segorbe wildfire?
The fire was reported at approximately 8:20 p.m. on Thursday, August 20. Spain’s Civil Guard environmental protection service determined that lightning during a dry thunderstorm ignited the vegetation. Several Gátova residents reportedly witnessed the strike on high ground near the town.
There is no official indication that human activity caused the blaze. Gátova had already experienced drought-related water restrictions, prompting local officials to reserve stored water for firefighting equipment without cutting residents’ drinking water.
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What Situation 2 means
The Valencian government activated Situation 2 under its Special Forest Fire Plan. This level applies when a wildfire may seriously threaten people, buildings or other property and additional emergency resources are needed.
The classification allowed national assets, including the UME, to reinforce regional teams. It reflects the potential danger and does not mean widespread structural damage has been confirmed.
When can residents return?
No return time has been announced. Residents should wait for an official notice before travelling back, even if smoke decreases. Roads may remain unsafe because of emergency vehicles, falling branches, poor visibility and fire activity near the carriageway.
The latest verified Sierra Calderona fire update continued to describe the blaze as active and outside control lines.
The incident is separate from the deadly Los Gallardos wildfire in Almería. Readers should not combine casualty, evacuation or burned-area figures from the two fires.
Road access has also shaped other evacuations, including the Sorrento Fire emergency in San Diego, where changing conditions affected nearby communities.
Fire commanders will assess whether crews can hold the two fronts, protect the CV-25 and make enough progress to consider lifting Gátova’s evacuation order.
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