The town of Oliva experienced a complicated afternoon when a forest fire broke out in the Cross Mountain, just a short distance from the town center and the nursing home. The rapid response of the emergency services helped contain the spread of the flames and restore peace of mind to the residents.
The notice was received around 16 pm, with a column of smoke visible from several points in the city and particular concern in nearby areas such as the Pinet neighborhood. Although the cause of the fire has not been determined, the final outcome was favorable thanks to the coordinated operation and the preventive measures immediately implemented.
Chronology and situation of the fire
With the fire already declared, the Emergency Coordination Center decreed the Situation 1 of the Special Plan against Forest Fires, a level that is activated when the fire threatens forest masses and can reach, in a limited way, infrastructure or the population.
During the afternoon, the extinguishing efforts were contained and the perimeter was left perimetered at the last minute, with no open flames and constant surveillance to prevent further fires. Local police and emergency teams organized access and reinforcements to secure the area.
The Local Police reported that at 20:30 PM Thursday The fire was under control, with no damage to homes or direct impact on the nearby residence, and without the need to close the AP-7 motorway, which was under observation due to the proximity of the fire.
During the early morning a deployment of hot spot monitoring, cooling, and tracking, with the support of drones for thermal reconnaissance and constant coordination with firefighters and forestry brigades.
Already on Friday morning the stabilization was confirmed after the aerial and drone inspections, and at 17:45 p.m. the fire was declared extinguished, thus closing an episode that had the city under tension but was resolved with minimal material damage.
Operation and measures adopted
More than 100 people worked on the device. 100 effective between the Local Police of Oliva, Civil Guard, Civil Protection, Provincial Fire Consortium of Valencia and Forestry Bombers of the Generalitat. Initially, six aircraft operated and, with reinforcements from the State, the number of aircraft reached up to nine air assetsIn addition to fire engines, GERA with the V990 helicopter and crews from the Oliva and Gandia airfields.
As a precaution, evacuation was considered. Our Lady of Rebollet residence, which was prepared for a quick exit, but ultimately was not necessary. Preventive evacuations of some residents very close to the perimeter were carried out, while the Multipurpose Center in case it is necessary to shelter affected people.
There were traffic restrictions on several roads: the CV-683 (connection with Beniarjó), reopened at nightfall, and streets such as Font d'En Carròs and Eras de Juan were limited, in addition to reserving Morerals for emergency traffic only. Despite the risk, traffic on the AP-7 was not interrupted.
The mayor, Yolanda Pastor, thanked the immediate activation and coordination between administrations and intervening bodies, highlighting the role of the firewalls and prevention tasks in containing the fire and protecting inhabited areas.
The weather conditions were not helpful: the thermal rebound left values ​​of up to 33-35 ºC and the breeze pushed the front down the mountainside, a combination that required extreme caution and prolonged vigilance to avoid reactivations.
After the extinction, the authorities insist on the need to prudence and citizen collaboration: Keeping the forest clean, respecting the prohibitions and reporting any signs of smoke or fire are key to reducing the risk in an area as exposed as La Safor.
With the fire extinguished, Oliva breathes a sigh of relief after an operation that worked with speed, coordination and efficiencyNeither homes nor the residence were affected, the highway was not cut off, and the technical and citizen response demonstrated that preparation and prevention make a difference.