A blaze erupted in the surrounding area at dawn on Saturday, near the Mascarain municipality, and began to spread rapidly through the early hours. It was brought under control by 20:00 on Sunday, according to the Alicante Provincial Firefighters Consortium. Officials note that almost two days had passed since the fire started, and the rugged terrain, combined with the close proximity of homes and critical infrastructure, kept eradication efforts challenging. High winds continued to push the flames, complicating firefighting operations and making suppression work more demanding for crews on the ground and in the air.
Provincial sources confirmed that, in addition to two fire brigades, a specialized team from the Generalitat Forest Firefighters remained on site to reinforce the response through the night. Their objective was to maintain control at all times and prevent any rekindling or renewed spread that could threaten nearby communities or facilities. This coordinated effort involved ongoing coordination among multiple agencies to safeguard residents and essential services as night fell and the situation evolved.
As previously reported, all residents evacuated during the emergency were able to return to their homes by Saturday afternoon. The affected areas include the municipal district of Altea and the town of Calp, with 125 households evacuated from neighborhoods such as Altea Hills, Mascarat, and Maryvilla due to the flames’ proximity. The mass return of residents signaled a stabilizing phase in the response, though authorities maintained vigilance to prevent new outbreaks of fire during the evening hours.
Traffic interruptions affected the region, with the TRAM railway line halted and major routes like the N-332 and the AP-7 temporarily closed to prevent the spread of smoke and ensure the safety of motorists and travelers. Direct communication between Altea and Calp, and by extension between Marina Baixa and Marina Alta, was disrupted, but travel arrangements resumed on Saturday afternoon via the AP-7 and shortly thereafter via the N-332. Regular services on the rail link between Calp and Altea returned to normal on Sunday, with connections to Alicante and Dénia resuming along the regional rail corridor known as the Trenet, while the incident response continued to monitor the area for any flare-ups that could require further action.
The fire originated around 03:30 on Saturday, January 6, in a wooded area situated between the AP-7 and N-332 corridors, near the Altea exit and in close proximity to the Altea Hills urbanization. Strong winds drove rapid flame spread, necessitating a large-scale mobilization of resources. Firefighting personnel from Dénia, Benidorm, Benissa, San Vicente del Raspeig, Ibi, Villena, and Elda, along with four aircraft operated by the Generalitat and two Forest Fire Brigade units, were deployed to contain the blaze and protect nearby communities and habitats. The combined response showcased a broad, multi-jurisdictional approach to wildfire management in the region.