This Saturday afternoon, firefighters were deployed to contain a forest fire in Benimantell, a municipality in Marina Baixa. Eyewitness reports circulating on social media and confirmed by the Generalitat Emergency Coordination Center indicate that the blaze started in the Barranc de l’Arc, a south-eastern area of the town frequented by hikers and mountaineers. The incident prompted an immediate response as crews and equipment were mobilized to secure the site and prevent spread to nearby natural areas. According to the 112 emergency communications, the incident began near a popular hiking corridor and attracted attention because the terrain is known for its rugged trails and scenic viewpoints. (Source: Generalitat Emergency Coordination Center 112)
The official timeline shows the warning issued shortly after 16:00 local time. Three teams from the Alicante Provincial Firefighters Consortium, along with three crews from the Generalitat Forest Firefighters, were dispatched. In addition, two aircraft and an Intercept Unit supported the operation with two environmental agents on the ground. The aerial assets were active for a little over an hour, with one aircraft returning to base around 16:56. Later, a fourth unit from the Provincial Consortium joined the on-site efforts, strengthening the response and allowing teams on the ground to coordinate more effectively. (Source: 112 Fire Brigade Consortium)
Despite the heavy initial response, the rapid action and the decision to withdraw aircraft from service suggest that the fire did not advance to a larger scale. By the time the situation was being assessed, local fire authorities reported that the fire was brought under control at approximately 17:24. Even as updates were being compiled, firefighters remained in the area, continuing to work to fully extinguish the flames and to monitor any hotspots that could flare up again in the terrain. This steady, multi-agency approach underscores the importance of coordinated procedures in protecting natural habitats and nearby communities while the landscape is prone to quick shifts in fire behavior due to winds and topography. (Source: Provincial Fire Brigade Consortium)