The fire crews reported progress on Monday morning as they declared the wildfire near Muro contained. The blaze, which started on Sunday and is believed to have originated from an agricultural burn that escaped, burned at least 29 hectares of woodland before being brought under control. Reports from the Provincial Fire Consortium indicate that the fire was stabilized at 7:10 p.m. and by 9:20 a.m. on Monday it remained under control, allowing emergency teams to begin a careful assessment of the affected area.
Throughout Monday, aerial support continued to assist the ground crews. After three aircraft were withdrawn at dusk on Sunday, two aircraft remained available at the Cocentaina fire station, and additional forest firefighting teams from the regional government were deployed. The situation appeared to be evolving favorably as crews coordinated efforts from both the air and the ground, ensuring that fire lines were actively monitored and reinforced as needed.
The incident triggered Level 1 activation of the Autonomous Community’s Forest Fire Plan. The response combined air and ground tactics, mobilizing up to 15 units across the provincial and regional authorities to attack the fire from multiple angles, including rapid aerial drops and ground containment work. This orderly, multi-agency approach aimed to prevent spread to nearby residences or additional forested areas and to protect local infrastructure.
The initial warning came in at 11:54 a.m. near the village of Turballos, at the foot of the Benicadell mountain range. The area is characterized by scattered homes interspersed with extensive forest cover, which can pose a challenge for firefighting teams as winds and terrain influence fire behavior. Crews maintained watch over the site, ready to respond to any sudden changes in wind direction or the fire’s activity, while firefighters worked to delineate a secure perimeter around the affected zones.
Residents in the surrounding communities were advised to stay alert and follow official updates as the situation developed over the day. Smoke drifting through the landscape could be seen from several vantage points, highlighting the importance of continued vigilance by local authorities. Fire management officials emphasized the need for careful oversight of the burn area to prevent flare-ups, particularly in pockets of dry vegetation that can reignite after initial containment.
By late morning, the combined efforts of ground crews and air support had reduced the fire’s intensity in most sectors. Firefighters focused on cooling hot spots, removing smoldering debris, and ensuring that embers could not reignite neighboring countryside. The coordination among the various agencies illustrated a unified response designed to minimize risk to the public while preserving natural resources.
As the day progressed, meteorological conditions and the availability of resources shaped the ongoing strategy. Officials noted that the current weather pattern favored continued control, with no immediate indications of conditions that would necessitate a major escalation. Nevertheless, teams remained on high alert, ready to react if the fire behavior changed, or if new hot spots emerged along the established containment lines.
Local authorities reiterate the importance of responsible burning practices to prevent future incidents. The investigation into the origin of the fire is expected to consider weather conditions, land management practices, and any potential human activity that could have contributed to the ignition. In the meantime, the affected zone will continue to be monitored, and air and ground operations will adapt to any shifts in fire behavior.
Credit for the ongoing response is shared among the Provincial Fire Consortium, the Diputación, and the regional government firefighting services. The collaborative effort underscores the region’s commitment to protecting communities, wildlife, and the broader forested landscape from wildfire threats. Citizens are encouraged to remain informed through official briefings and to respect any advisories issued by local authorities as the situation remains under observation.