Come nightfall, the fire that started this Sunday afternoon in the Serra Ferrer, between the municipalities of Tàrbena (Marina Baixa) and Xaló (Marina Alta), and which affects Coll de Rates, remains uncontrolled. At the moment, as indicated by the Minister of Justice and Interior, 800 hectares have already burned. Initial investigations indicate that the origin of the fire is uncontrolled agricultural burning.
The rapid spread of the flames has caused the eviction in scattered areas, on a preventive basis, of about 180 people, residents of Tàrbena and Parcent, "who have been relocated to other homes that they have been able to access by their own means," according to indicated the Government delegate, Pilar Bernabé, after the CECOPI meeting. At the moment no further evictions are planned during the night. The Alicante Red Cross has set up a shelter in the House of Culture for 50 people.
The fire originated in the municipality of Tàrbena, advancing quickly towards the mountain, reaching the crest of Coll de Rates and entering the municipality of Parcent, Marina Alta, and endangering the advance of the flames towards the town of Xaló. The road that connects the towns of Tárbena and Parcent remains closed.
The weather conditions for tonight "are expected to be encouraging. It seems that the night is going to be favorable for the troops to work," according to Bernabé, who added that the Government of Spain "has attended to the requests of the Generalitat when they have raised alert level 2 with the Unit Emergency Military.
During the night there will be 126 UME troops working on the ground, 55 means that will support these troops, 12 Civil Guard patrols "and tomorrow morning more UME troops will join to reach 200 and be able to meet the needs of personal. In addition, two FOCAs have been provided to support the extinguishing means and they will return first thing in the morning tomorrow," says Bernabé.
Still, the situation is deplorable. The fire and the large column of smoke can be seen from different locations in the region.
The fire broke out this afternoon and its spread has been rapid. This has been the evolution of the actions and the great deployment of media.
