Alicante faces severe storms, forest fires, and rising tax revenues

The Alicante province is experiencing significant weather and environmental challenges. Intense storms and heavy rainfall have hit the region, with some areas recording over 27 liters per square meter. This sudden shift from extreme heat, which saw temperatures reaching 36.7 degrees in Orba and Oriola, has brought lightning and wind gusts of up to 137 km/h. The electrical activity caused forest fires in Castalla and Ibi, though they were extinguished without emergency services intervention.

In Polop, a forest fire has been classified as a Situation 1 emergency due to its potential to affect forest assets and nearby populations. Firefighting teams, including aerial means and multiple ground units, are working in difficult-to-access terrain to control the flames.

In economic news, Suma Gestió Tributària reported that its first voluntary payment period collected 190 million euros, a 5.71% increase compared to 2025. This revenue, managed by the Diputació d'Alacant, supports municipal services and tax management for over 15,000 beneficiaries.