Valencia recycling plant blaze forces emergency alert as Catalonia wildfires ravage farms

A fire broke out at a recycling plant in Aielo de Malferit, Valencia, prompting the activation of Situation 0 of the Territorial Emergency Plan. Six fire crews from the Valencia Provincial Fire Consortium and two forest‑fire units were deployed as the blaze rapidly developed, generating dense smoke that authorities warned could affect residents with respiratory symptoms.

In nearby Guimerà, a revived wildfire destroyed an olive and almond orchard owned by Ramon Boleda, forcing a temporary confinement of the towns of Tàrrega, Verdú, Vilagrassa and Mas de Bondia, affecting about 21,000 people. The fire spread despite earlier firefighting efforts, and Boleda described the loss of his family’s generational farm.

Regional officials noted that the current heat wave—temperatures above 30 °C, humidity under 30 % and strong winds—has created ideal conditions for multiple fires across Noguera, Segarra and other parts of Catalonia. Firefighters from the Generalitat’s Corps have been credited with containing several incidents, while experts called for better forest‑land management to reduce future wildfire risk.