La Vall d’Uixó wildfire burns nearly 9,600 hectares in Spain

A massive wildfire in La Vall d’Uixó, Castellón, has burned approximately 9,568 hectares, with 43% of the affected area located within the Serra d’Espadà Natural Park. Investigations by the Mediterranean Environmental Studies Center (CEAM) indicate that extreme vegetation desiccation was a primary driver. Although spring 2026 saw higher moisture levels due to rain, vegetation lost 51% of its moisture between April and July, leading to a 38% drop in the NDVI index.

The fire's progression was highly rapid, with two separate ignitions reported within one hour on July 25. The first occurred at 10:15 AM, and a second fire broke out at 11:15 AM in the Carbonaire neighborhood. Local authorities and investigators are looking into the origins of these simultaneous starts. The fire was exacerbated by high temperatures and wind, affecting diverse ecosystems including pine forests (40%), shrubland (30%), and cork oak groves (10%). Roughly 16% of the burnt area is estimated to have experienced very high fire severity.