Valencian Emergency Commissioner defends summer wildfire management

Juan Carlos Valderrama, the Valencian Emergency Commissioner, defended the regional government's management of summer forest fires during a session at the Corts Valencianes. The appearance followed political criticism from opposition parties, such as PSPV and Compromís, regarding potential cuts in prevention and a lack of firefighters.

Valderrama reported that 224 fires occurred in the Valencian mountains this summer. He specifically highlighted the response to the Vall d’Uixó fire, the year's most devastating event, which involved a total of 1,297 forest firefighters. During that incident, authorities evacuated 15,000 people and ordered confinement for another 37,000.

A total of 9,568 hectares of forest land burned, with 40% of that area located within the Serra d’Espadà Natural Park. The Commissioner emphasized that the regional response worked in an integrated manner with the national Military Emergencies Unit (UME) and provincial consortia.