Wildfire in Benidorm triggers alerts and mobilizes 50 firefighters and aerial resources.

On the afternoon of this Saturday, the municipality of Benidorm, in the province of Alicante, was caught off guard by the outbreak of a wildfire that has put local authorities on alert. The fire, which has spread rapidly, has forced the activation of Level 1 of the Special Wildfire Plan (PEIF) and has generated a series of emergency measures that have affected traffic and electricity supply in the area. The first responders to the emergency were the members of the Provincial Consortium of Firefighters of Alicante, who sent an initial contingent to the area consisting of two aerial resources, a helitack crew, four firefighter units, and other essential resources. However, as the fire progressed, the situation became more critical, leading authorities to reinforce the intervention teams. In total, nearly 50 firefighters have been mobilized to combat the flames, including more than ten aerial resources and various helitack crews. The magnitude of the fire has been such that access routes have had to be closed, interrupting traffic on the AP-7 highway towards Valencia. This measure has been crucial to ensure the safety of drivers and facilitate the work of emergency services. In addition to road restrictions, there have been reports of power supply interruptions in several areas affected by the fire. This outage, although necessary to prevent greater risks, has left many residents without electricity and raised concerns about the duration of the measure. The community is facing a complicated situation, where safety takes precedence over comfort. As a precaution, the Emergency Coordination Center has also proceeded to evacuate Terra Natura, a well-known nature and animal park in the region. The evacuation was carried out quickly and efficiently, ensuring that both visitors and park staff were out of danger. The decision to evacuate this space reflects the seriousness of the situation and the need to protect the population and the animals that inhabit the area. As night fell, the deployment of firefighting resources continued to intensify. By 7:25 PM, 11 aerial resources and three helitack crews were operating in the area, including three amphibious planes from the Ministry, 15 provincial firefighter units, as well as several wildfire units from the Generalitat. The commitment of these teams is essential to contain the advance of the flames and limit the damage. The fire has crossed the road, raising fears that some isolated homes could be affected. Firefighters are working hard to protect these properties and prevent the flames from spreading further. The situation remains delicate, and authorities are in constant communication to assess the evolution of the fire and the effectiveness of the actions taken. Level 1 alert of the PEIF is activated in situations where the fire may seriously affect forest assets or lightly impact the population and non-forest assets. In this case, the immediate response by emergency services is crucial to prevent the situation from escalating to more critical levels that could require the incorporation of additional extraordinary resources. Meanwhile, residents of Benidorm remain on high alert and have been urged to follow the authorities' instructions. The community comes together in the hope that the flames will be brought under control and that normalcy will return to the region. Collaboration among the various emergency bodies is a vital element in the fight against the fire, and all efforts are focused on safeguarding lives and property in this challenging situation. The situation in Benidorm serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of our communities to wildfires, a phenomenon that has become more common in recent decades due to changing climatic conditions and other factors. The coordinated response of firefighters and local authorities is a testament to the importance of preparedness and resilience in times of crisis.