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Fire in Castellón: Over 5,000 Evacuated, Criminal Act Suspected
Herz — World Desk · · 30s summary · 3 min read
The essentials
A fire with suspected criminal origins broke out on July 25, 2026, in La Vall d'Uixó in Castellón Province, Spain. The successive appearance of multiple distinct fire starts beginning around 9:30 AM suggests an intentional act, according to El País. Over 5,000 people were evacuated from eight municipalities; an additional 5,700 residents in Betxí were ordered to shelter in place. Seven people were injured. The Generalitat Valenciana regional authority activated 'Situation 2' of its forest fire emergency plan.
- Fire broke out July 25, 2026, in La Vall d'Uixó (Castellón); suspected intentional act
- Over 5,000 evacuated from eight towns; 5,700 residents in Betxí ordered to shelter in place
- 7 injured including 1 hospitalized in severe burns unit at La Fe Hospital, Valencia
- 10 aerial assets deployed amid extreme conditions: 35°C, 15% humidity, 43 km/h winds
- Sierra de Espadán natural park affected for second time in July 2026
What we know
A fire broke out on July 25, 2026, around 9:30 AM, in La Vall d'Uixó in Castellón Province, Spain. The first fire started in an urban area near a school, according to El País.
Once the first fire was contained, a second ignited approximately 200 meters away in a forested area. Several additional fires started in succession. These multiple distinct ignitions suggest an intentional act.
The fire spread toward the foothills of the Sierra de Espadán, a natural park in the Valencian hinterland, affecting several neighboring municipalities.
Injuries
Seven people were injured by burns or smoke inhalation. One is hospitalized in the severe burns unit at La Fe Hospital in Valencia. Three others are being treated for smoke inhalation at La Plana Hospital, among six people treated in emergency care.
Evacuations and shelter-in-place orders
Over 5,000 people were evacuated from eight municipalities: La Vilavella (3,000 residents), Artana (2,000), Eslida (850), and Aín, Alcudia de Veo, Tales, Artesa and Alfondeguilla. The fire's progression toward the foothills of the Sierra de Espadán prompted these evacuations.
At 7:52 PM, the Emergency Center sent an alert via the Es-Alert system to the Castellón population, ordering the 5,700 residents of Betxí to shelter in place.
Road CV-223 was also closed in both directions between kilometers 0 and 5 in the Artana sector.
Betxí (shelter-in-place)5700
La Vilavella (evacuated)3000
Artana (evacuated)2000
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