Access to Serra Gelada natural park closed due to the risk of fire because of high temperatures

From this Thursday until next Tuesday, August 15, access to Serra Gelada Natural Park will not be allowed due to the risk of fire due to the high temperatures. The Councilor for Environment, Mónica Gómez, explained that "the Generalitat Valenciana has decreed the maximum level of pre-emergency due to fire risk throughout the Community, which implies a series of restrictions, including access to natural parks".

Specifically, and as it appears in the resolution published today in the Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana, from August 10 to 15, both inclusive, it will not be possible to "circulate along the tracks and forest paths" of Serra Gelada "with any kind of vehicle, bicycle or on foot. Only emergency, surveillance, maintenance, and resident vehicles in the area will be able to access the natural park.

Given this resolution, the councillor appealed to "responsibility" and to "respect the restrictions and prohibitions established by the Generalitat". Gómez indicated that "keeping our forest areas free of fires is a collective task", and advanced that "from the City Council, and also in response to the request made from the management of the Natural Park, the information will be reinforced and surveillance to prevent the entry of vehicles and people into the natural park while this exceptional situation lasts, especially in the main access to the area from Benidorm, La Cruz, which is highly visited daily by pedestrians”.

Thus, the Local Police have established a special device in which the rural section and the air unit participate, which will carry out flights with the drone throughout the area.

In addition to the restrictions on access and transit through the Serra Gelada Natural Park, the resolution of the Generalitat also establishes in general the suspension of certain works and works and the festive-recreational use of fire for festive reasons on forest land and in the zone of forest influence (up to 500 meters); the prohibition of lighting any type of fire in these same areas; and nullifies any authorization granted for sports circulation on forest land.

On the other hand, the councillor asked the population that "especially during the next few days and in the face of weather warnings because of high temperatures, the recommendations by the health authorities must be followed."

Thus, special care must be taken with elderly, minor, and sick people; keep the house cool and ventilated; avoid direct exposure to the sun, especially between 12:00 and 16:00; use sun protection; eat light meals, with foods rich in water and mineral salts, such as fruit and vegetables, and drink plenty of water; dress in light clothing, light colors and covering most of the body, especially the head; do not leave anyone inside a closed vehicle and not pets; avoid traffic on trails and off-road; and if necessary call 112.