Access to Serra Gelada Natural Park and El Moralet Park to remain closed for two days due to heightened wildfire risk during the heatwave

Access to Serra Gelada Natural Park and El Moralet Park will be prohibited on Wednesday and Thursday, July 15th and 16th, due to the risk of forest fires caused by the expected high temperatures. The Councillor for Environment, Mónica Gómez, explained that “the Valencian Government has declared the highest level of pre-emergency alert for fire risk throughout the region, which entails a series of restrictions, including access to natural parks and pedestrian traffic on trails and cross-country routes.”

Specifically, the resolution published today in the Official Gazette of the Valencian Government establishes, from Wednesday the 15th through the 16th, inclusive, “a ban on all traffic on the tracks and forest roads” of Serra Gelada “with any type of vehicle, bicycle, or on foot.” Only emergency vehicles, surveillance vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and vehicles belonging to residents will be allowed access to the natural park.

Likewise, restrictions on the movement of people in areas with significant forest cover, such as El Moralet Park, have also been established.

In light of this resolution, the councilwoman appealed to “responsibility” and urged everyone to “respect the restrictions and prohibitions established by the Generalitat.” Gómez stated that “keeping our forests and woodlands free of fires is a collective task,” and announced that “the City Council will reinforce information and surveillance to prevent vehicles and people from entering the natural park while this exceptional situation lasts, especially at the main access point to the area from Benidorm, La Cruz, which is frequently visited by pedestrians daily.”

Thus, the Local Police have established a special signage and surveillance operation at the entrances to the Serra Gelada and El Moralet Natural Parks, involving the rural section, quad bikes, and the air unit, which will conduct drone flights to monitor both areas for the duration of the pre-emergency situation.

In addition to the restrictions already mentioned, the Generalitat's resolution also establishes, as a general rule, the suspension of certain construction and work activities and the recreational use of fire for festive purposes in forest areas and within the forest buffer zone (up to 500 meters); the prohibition of lighting any type of fire in these same areas; and it revokes any authorization granted for recreational activities on forest land.

Furthermore, the councilwoman has asked the public to “especially during the coming days, given the weather warnings for high temperatures, follow the recommendations of the health authorities to avoid heatstroke.”

Recommendations for dealing with the heat
Therefore, special care should be taken with the elderly, children, and the sick; keep the house cool and well-ventilated; avoid direct sun exposure, especially between 12:00 and 16:00; use sun protection; eat light meals with foods rich in water and minerals, such as fruits and vegetables, and drink plenty of water; wear light-colored, lightweight clothing that covers most of the body, especially the head; do not leave anyone inside a closed vehicle, including pets; avoid walking on trails and cross-country terrain; and in case of emergency, call 112.