The aerial means have resumed this Friday morning the tasks of extinguishing the forest fire declared on Thursday in the Devesa del Saler, in Valencia . After a night of continuous work by the ground forces, the device faces a few decisive hours to advance in the control of the fire before the weather conditions change.
According to the latest official assessment available overnight, the fire had affected 31.38 hectares and had a perimeter of 4.21 kilometers. The Government delegate to the Valencian Community, Pilar Bernabé, pointed out that the perimeter "has practically not advanced", a positive figure after the hours of work of the different teams deployed on the ground.
A new Cecopi coordination meeting is scheduled for this morning, after which it is expected that both the affected area, the situation of the fire and the deployed device will be updated.
Firefighters worked all night
Extinguishing work has not stopped during the morning. Four units and three fire engines from the Generalitat Valenciana have continued to work on the ground together with eight fire brigades from the Valencia City Council, according to the latest information provided by the Emergency Coordination Centre.
This extensive operation was joined by the Military Emergency Unit (UME), which was mobilized on Thursday afternoon. Its personnel carried out direct attacks on the flames and eliminated hot spots, especially on the right flank of the fire, in coordination with the rest of the emergency services.
With the arrival of daylight, the incorporation of aerial means allows operations to be intensified again in an area of enormous environmental value.
Wind, one of the main concerns
Weather conditions continue to be decisive for the evolution of the Devesa del Saler fire. Pilar Bernabé explained that the teams will try to make the most of the morning hours, during which the westerly wind will continue to dominate.
The weather forecast, however, points to a change from noon. According to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), during the first few hours it will continue to blow weakly from the west, with gusts of between 10 and 20 kilometers per hour. Later, the wind will tend to turn to the south, also with gusts that could reach 20 km/h.
The passage of a front is also causing a renewal of the air mass and particularly good visibility conditions.
A new decisive day at the Devesa del Saler
The emergency services are thus facing a new day focused on stabilizing the perimeter, eliminating hot spots and preventing possible reproduction of the fire.
The situation will continue to be monitored especially during the next few hours due to the evolution of the wind. The next Cecopi assessment will allow us to know with greater precision the state of the fire after the night work and the reinstatement of aerial means.
