The Guardia Civil on 1 October 2026 in Tuéjar (province of Valencia) arrested a 66-year-old Spaniard on suspicion of causing the forest fire there. Investigators say the fire started on 15 September at around 3.30 pm in the area of the barranco at Río Tuéjar, in the area of La Cueva de la Paloma. The fire was reportedly started with an open flame.
A large-scale emergency response was mounted. A total of 14 firefighting helicopters and aircraft, along with numerous ground teams, were deployed. The flames reached a perimeter of around 20 kilometres. Roads were temporarily closed, including the route CV-390 between Tuéjar and Utiel. During the evacuations, around 20 people were brought to safety from scattered residential areas. Official figures say three emergency workers—including fire brigade members and firefighters—were injured.
The incident command reported that the fire was stabilised on 18 September, brought under control on 21 September and fully extinguished on 22 September. Around 850 hectares of protected woodland and scrubland burned in total.
The Guardia Civil’s Servicio de Protección de la Naturaleza (SEPRONA) is investigating the cause of the fire and possible responsibility. According to the specialists, they worked with the environmental units of the Generalitat Valenciana to secure fire patterns and traces. The authorities initially gave no detailed information about evidence against the suspect, possible motives or other grounds for suspicion. The presumption of innocence applies.
The arrest follows nearly two weeks of forensic investigations at the suspected point of origin and in surrounding areas. Residents affected, emergency workers and witnesses were also questioned. The judiciary will now decide on further measures, including whether to bring the suspect before an investigating judge and how to classify the offence. A conviction for deliberate arson in woodland areas in Spain can carry several years in prison, as well as civil claims for environmental damage and the cost of the emergency response.
The regional administration says damage assessments are under way in the affected woodland. One priority is to prevent soil erosion and restore habitats. The Generalitat Valenciana will decide on further reforestation and prevention measures once the expert reports are available.
Editor: Andreas M. Brucker (Article created with AI assistance).