The means of extinguishing the fire that remains active in the province of Castellón are working on two main fronts. One is located to the north and affects the municipality of Catí, which has been confined since Saturday afternoon. The other is located to the south, in the municipal term of Tírig, where the situation has improved during the early morning due to the increase in relative humidity.
The technical director of the Advanced Command Post, Antonio Rodrigo, explained after the meeting of the Integrated Operational Coordination Center, the Cecopi, that all resources have concentrated in these two areas with the aim of trying to stabilize the fire as soon as possible.
Humidity helps contain the advance of the fire
Rodrigo pointed out that the increase in relative humidity to 70% during the night has helped to contain the fire both in the northern area of Catí and in the southern front of Tírig. This increase has allowed the vegetation to regain moisture, a key circumstance to slow the advance of the flames.
The improvement in conditions during the early morning offers some leeway to the operation, although the fire remains active and the teams maintain vigilance over the two sectors that most concern the emergency managers.
300 personnel and 19 aerial resources
On the ground, about 300 personnel and 50 ground units are working. Since 08:00 hours, an additional 19 aerial resources have been incorporated, as detailed by the Minister of Emergencies and Interior, Juan Carlos Valderrama, from the coordination center of the operations.
The deployment focuses on containing the open fronts and preventing the fire from gaining intensity during the central hours of the day, when weather conditions may complicate again.
About 395 hectares affected
According to the data provided by the minister, the fire in Tírig has burned about 395 hectares so far and has an approximate perimeter of 15 kilometers.
Valderrama also reported that the fires declared on Friday in Culla and in the Serra d’en Galceran are already controlled. Additionally, during the night, a small fire occurred in the term of Palanques, caused by the dry storms recorded in the area, which was quickly extinguished.
Catí will remain confined at least until 17:00 hours
The neighbors of Catí, about 700, will remain confined in their homes at least until 5:00 PM this Sunday. At that time, a new meeting of the Cecopi is scheduled to evaluate the evolution of the fire and decide whether to maintain, modify, or lift the protective measures.
The confinement was adopted due to the impact of the northern front and the need to reduce risks for the population while the resources work on the perimeter. Authorities ask neighbors to follow official instructions and avoid unnecessary travel.
Risk of dry storms
Valderrama has warned that the province is in a situation of dry storms, a phenomenon especially dangerous during the fire season because it can cause lightning without providing enough rain to moisten the ground.
The councilor has warned that these storms may recur during tomorrow and has asked citizens to avoid making fires. “We need all firefighting services to be focused today on the fire in Tírig,” he has stated.
Special device for the solar eclipse
The Generalitat has also reminded that a special device has been established for the solar eclipse on August 12, a day that will require the mobilization of security resources due to possible displacements, concentrations of people, and incidents in observation areas.
This context adds pressure to emergency services, which need to keep all possible resources available in a week marked by heat, dry storms, and the risk of new fires.
The goal: stabilize as soon as possible
The priority of the operation is to stabilize the fire as soon as possible and prevent the two main fronts from gaining strength again. The nighttime improvement due to the increase in humidity has allowed to contain the situation, but the device remains cautious regarding the evolution of the wind, the dryness of the ground, and the possibility of new dry storms.
Meanwhile, Catí remains confined, ground and aerial resources are working on the perimeter, and the Cecopi will meet again in the afternoon to decide the next steps.