On Monday afternoon, responders from the Alicante Provincial Fire Consortium and the Generalitat Forest Fire Service arrived at the scene to tackle a forest fire reported in Castalla. The blaze was detected in the Separation of Riera, near the Riu Verd riverbed, adjacent to the wastewater treatment facility. The area is characterized by pine and poplar stands, and the location is known to be close to the town of Castalla, which heightened concerns about potential spread and impact on nearby habitats and communities.
The initial alert came just after 18:30 when observers noted a large plume of white smoke rising from the site. In response, a water-delivery helicopter was dispatched to assist with suppression efforts as the flames advanced quickly. The air support played a critical role in creating breaks in the fire’s path and allowing ground crews to gain ground against the advancing flames. By approximately 19:33, operations shifted toward containment, with ground crews coordinating to secure hot spots and prevent rekindling as the situation evolved. Later, the aircraft were stood down as conditions allowed for continued inspection from the ground and a focus on mop-up work. At 20:47, authorities confirmed that the fire had been extinguished and the incident was considered under control, marking a successful collaboration between aerial and terrestrial units.
In the visual records, forest fire personnel from the Generalitat and the provincial teams are seen engaging in extinguishing missions. The operation landscape included a command unit from the headquarters, two heavy rural units, and one light main unit, with a range of personnel assigned to the task. The staff composition included two sergeants, one corporal, and several firefighters deployed from Cocentaina and Ibi parks. An Alpha 02 helicopter was deployed to the scene, accompanied by support aircraft units from the Generalitat Forest Firefighters stationed in Mutxamel, with additional units from the Biar and Guardamar sectors contributing to the coordinated response.
Throughout the operation, responders prioritized rapid assessment of fire behavior, controlled suppression techniques, and the protection of vulnerable zones along the river corridor and nearby vegetation. Ground teams established fire breaks, utilized water streams, and monitored wind shifts to prevent a possible flare-up. The incident demonstrated how multi-agency coordination, including aerial assets and ground crews, can effectively manage rapid-fire events in semi-rural settings where vegetation patterns and topography influence suppression tactics. While the immediate threat was mitigated, ongoing monitoring was planned to detect any potential hotspots and ensure that all embers were fully extinguished before declaring the scene safe.