Early wildfires near Benidorm disrupt local tourism

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

The onset of the wildfire season in Spain has already made a significant impact, particularly near the popular tourist destination of Benidorm. Due to unseasonably warm conditions, with temperatures soaring to 30 °C—almost 10 °C above the average for April—a major wildfire erupted on Sunday near Tarbena, approximately 20 miles from Benidorm. This has resulted in the evacuation of 180 people from their homes, disrupting the tranquility of the region.

Firefighting efforts are ongoing, with both ground and aerial units deployed to combat the blaze, which has already consumed over 500 hectares of land. The fire’s rapid spread has been attributed to a combination of factors, including high temperatures, strong winds, and low humidity, which might have been exacerbated by an agricultural fire, as reported by media sources.

The response to the wildfire has involved significant resources, including troops from the UME military emergency unit and support from eight air units. Despite these efforts, the region’s emergency services described the firefighting throughout the night as ‘complicated.’

The AEMET national weather service has confirmed the high temperatures across the country, affecting areas as far north as the Pyrenees. This incident is a stark reminder of the intense forest fire activity seen across the European Union in 2023, where the total area burned was twice the size of Luxembourg. The impact of wildfires has been felt not only in Spain but also in other parts of the Mediterranean and beyond. For instance, in July, thousands of tourists in Rhodes had to evacuate due to severe wildfires, and similar crises were experienced in Turkey, Italy, Cyprus, Algeria, and Tunisia.

Even the UK has not been immune, with numerous wildfires reported last year, including a significant blaze above Loch Ness, which was reportedly visible from space. This recurring threat underscores the broader implications of climate change and the increasing challenges it poses to emergency response and tourism in affected regions.

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