Firefighters from the Provincial Firefighters Consortium were dispatched to a blaze that had already been reported earlier in the day, involving a rural, terraced landscape situated between the municipality of Gorga and the nearby area of Benasau. The alert came in at 10:05, and the initial reports described visible flame and smoke moving through vegetation that is largely agricultural in character. The response team coordinated from a central command point, aligning resources to secure the location and prevent spread to nearby structures or fields. As the incident unfolded, responders confirmed the fire’s location and began a structured containment plan that prioritized immediate suppression and the protection of life, property, and crops in the region. Over the next minutes, crews established a perimeter and mobilized land-based units to access the terraced terrain, a task complicated by uneven ground and the presence of dry vegetation that could catalyze rapid flame progression. The operation emphasized rapid arrival and efficient deployment, leveraging both water streams and fire suppression techniques suitable for rural, agricultural environments.
With the terrain presenting challenges that included steep grades and limited access, an air support element was brought into the operation to bolster ground crews and accelerate containment. The aerial intervention enabled better oversight of the fire front, helped identify pockets of active burning, and assisted in directing ground resources to where they were most needed. By 10:48, roughly forty-three minutes after the initial notification, commanders reported significant progress in checking the spread of the flames. This favorable assessment allowed the teams to scale back some of the airborne activity, though ground crews remained fully engaged in extinguishment and hot spot management. Despite the quick progress, efforts continued until the fire was deemed extinguished at 13:30, marking a successful outcome with no reported injuries or damage to nearby properties. The coordination among agencies and the prompt, disciplined response were cited as key factors in achieving this result, highlighting the effectiveness of the incident command structure and the integration of aerial and ground resources in rural fire scenarios.
Within the operational roster, the headquarters command unit played a central role in directing the mission, complemented by a heavy rural pump and a lighter main pump that enabled versatile water delivery across varied terrain. The team included a sergeant, a corporal, and six firefighters stationed at the Cocentaina park, ensuring a swift on-site presence and ongoing fire management capabilities. An AT-55 aircraft was part of the response, providing critical reconnaissance, situational awareness, and support for the extinguishment efforts. This marks the second notable fire in the same region over a short period, with a separate incident reported between Penàguila and Benifallim on the preceding Thursday, underscoring the heightened risk of wildfires in the area and the importance of rapid, well-coordinated actions by local and regional fire services. The incident was resolved without harm to residents, animals, or infrastructure, reflecting the proficiency and readiness of the involved teams and the communities they serve.