Valencia region raises wildfire alert to level 3 ahead of 12 August eclipse
The Valencian Emergency Agency has declared extreme pre-emergency fire risk level 3 for Wednesday, ahead of the crowds expected in mountains and natural areas to watch the total solar eclipse, with restrictions that also apply around Sagunto.
With this Wednesday's total solar eclipse in mind, the Valencian regional government has decided to step up wildfire precautions. The Valencian Agency for Security and Emergency Response, together with the regional Secretariat for Environment and Territory, activated level 3 pre-emergency for 12 August -the maximum level under the region's Special Wildfire Risk Plan (PEIF)- anticipating a surge of vehicles and people heading to natural parks and protected areas, including the Sierra Calderona (a natural park near Sagunto), in search of a good spot to watch the phenomenon.
This is no ordinary eclipse. The path of totality will sweep across Spain in a southeasterly direction in the late afternoon, around 20:30, reaching totality across much of northern Spain, including Valencia province. Spain had not seen anything like it in 53 years: the previous total solar eclipse dates back to 30 June 1973, which explains the interest and the expected crowds wherever the sky goes fully dark.
Moving to level 3 adds extra bans on top of what the maximum PREVIFOC level already requires. In protected natural areas, it is now forbidden to: drive, cycle or walk on forest tracks and paths; keep visitor centres open (they will close to the public); or hold on to camping and overnight-stay permits already granted on forest land and its surroundings. On top of that, walking off-trail is banned, all sports permits on forest land are suspended, and any use of fire is completely forbidden -including previously authorised agricultural burning.
Sagunto City Council has asked residents to watch for official alerts, both from the council itself and from AEMET (Spain's national weather agency) and the 112 CV emergency line, and to be extra careful with cigarette butts and matches near dry vegetation. In a summer already marked by heavy tourist numbers along the Sagunto coast, the warning matters especially for anyone heading up to the Sierra Calderona or other hills in the municipality in search of the best eclipse view. Anyone travelling to watch it, the regional government advises, should pick a spot close to home rather than a long trip, plan the route ahead of time, and always carry enough water and fuel, avoiding unmarked forest tracks.
To watch safely, authorities are asking people to use only eclipse glasses certified to the ISO 12312-2 standard, avoid live-streaming during the busiest hours, and favour text messages over phone calls, keeping the 112 line free for genuine emergencies. Leaving the viewing areas may take several hours once the eclipse ends, so patience is advised, along with following safety officers' instructions at all times. Any fire spotted should be reported immediately to 112. According to Sagunto City Council, with additional background from Wikipedia.