Following the blaze that engulfed Vall d’Ebo, the largest wildfire Alicante has seen in a decade, the scene left behind is stark. About 3,000 hectares of cultivated land—olive, cherry and almond groves—were burned. Replanting these orchards will take a minimum of five years before they reach productive levels, pushing total losses toward 193 million euros. In addition, around 10,000 beehives and various infrastructure assets were destroyed. The fire struck a rural region whose population skews older, and with youth leaving for opportunities elsewhere, the risk of depopulation feels all too real now.
On the night of Saturday, August 13, a lightning bolt from a dark sky set off a catastrophe of immense scale. Emerging from Vall d’Ebo, the flames rode on gusty winds and intense heat, aided by the inability to deploy aircraft after dark. The fire surged with alarming speed and grew into an unstoppable force. It extended to Vall d’Alcalà and Vall de Gallinera, then to the towns of Benimassot, Tollos, Fageca, Famorca and Millena, forcing residents to evacuate. A week later the blaze finally stabilized, but the damage had already carved a path of destruction across 12,150 hectares.
Thanks to the tireless work of firefighters, forest personnel and the emergency unit, homes largely escaped direct damage. Yet livelihoods were relentlessly battered. Early estimates from Asaja indicate that roughly 3,000 hectares of crops were wrecked, wiping out future production of olives, cherries and almonds in those areas.
The economic hit from this agricultural disaster is profound. The land price index released by the Ministry of Agriculture places the value of destroyed land at about 33 million euros. Yet the losses do not stop there. Replanting does not guarantee harvests for at least five years, meaning farmers cannot recoup any profits during that period. By accounting for current fruit prices and typical yields, the total estimated loss climbs to at least 193 million euros.
Behind the numbers are real people and real stories. Vicen Llodrá, a 26-year-old farmer from Beniaia, has spent three years cultivating the land. He explains his roots run deep in the area, even though he is from Cocentaina, and he chose to live and work there because of family ties. The fire shattered his plans as 90 percent of his 17 hectares of cherry and olive trees were lost. He notes that the situation was already difficult after uprooting 1,500 almond trees due to the Xylella fastidiosa outbreak, but the latest catastrophe pushed everything to the limit.
The outlook for the future is uncertain. Llodrá says he has lost his livelihood and fears leaving the town if sufficient support does not arrive. In Alcalà de la Jovada, Juanjo Pérez, who managed five olive oil enterprises, faced the destruction of ten hectares of olive trees and three cherry trees, with losses reaching 70 percent. The disruption jeopardizes current orders across the supply chain. Pérez hopes solidarity from farmers who were not affected will help, but he cautions that five years may pass before olive production returns to previous levels in Alcalà. He notes that the olives from Millena, where his oil is pressed, will be critical to rebuilding, yet the path ahead remains highly complex.
José Vicente Andreu, president of Asaja Alicante, has pressed for a guaranteed minimum income to help farmers and ranchers in the affected areas begin recovery while rainfall-fed crops rebound, warning that without timely aid, depopulation could intensify in a region already hit hard by the loss of healthy trees to combat the Xylella plague. The organization has submitted its full technical team to the Ministry of Agriculture and has engaged with the affected municipalities to accelerate aid delivery, while broader cooperation with agricultural cooperatives is being explored.
Firefighters reported that Vall d’Ebo’s flames had stabilized after extinguishing several breeding hotspots. Support schemes are said to address the needs of both farmers and beekeepers in the region. Of roughly 130 farms in the area, about 25 sustained direct damage. Prolonged drought across the country has also affected many transhumance beehives, reducing pollination and honey production. In total, around 10,000 people are believed to be affected, with food and water shortages looming as the forest regenerates over the coming years. The government labeled the area a disaster zone and regional authorities worked to secure European Union aid, though questions remain about the sufficiency and speed of those subsidies to restore the land and protect residents.
Amid the gloom, Pablo Martínez, mayor of Vall d’Alcalà, emphasized resilience. He urged the community to persevere through administrative hurdles and to keep farming the land. His message centers on unity and sustained effort to recover, rather than retreat from the valley.
Threat to rural tourism also looms. The fire’s impact extends beyond agriculture into hospitality and dining, with local inns and restaurants fearing a decline in visitors after seeing charred landscapes. Alcalà de la Jovada, a picturesque town that has drawn weekend and holiday crowds, faced the risk that much of its surroundings would deter tourists. Gema Ginés, who runs the La Font d’Alcalà hotel, observed a recent uptick in occupancy from loyal customers who chose to stay despite uncertainty. She notes that future results will hinge on the effectiveness of revitalization policies and the landscape’s response to seasonal rains. The region’s rebound will be closely tied to the speed and success of recovery measures, as well as environmental regeneration in the months ahead, when greener scenery could signal renewed vitality for travelers and residents alike.”