Spain Wildfire Triggered by Storm Ciaran Winds Forces Evacuation of Over 800, Burned Nearly 5,000 Acres Amidst Prolonged Drought

Over 200 firefighters and army emergency unit soldiers deployed to combat the wildfire near town of Montitxelvo, with authorities estimating up to 1,400 hectares could be affected; cause of the blaze remains unknown.

The Spain wildfire, driven by strong winds from Storm Ciaran, has led to the evacuation of more than 800 people from nearby towns including Gandia.
The fire began in the vicinity of Montitxelvo and rapidly spread to cover almost 5,000 acres due to Spain's prolonged drought and winds from the ongoing storm.
Authorities have estimated that between 1,000 and 1,400 hectares of land could be affected by the wildfire, and the Valencia regional government has sought assistance from the Military Emergency Unit (UME) to combat the blaze.
The regional head, Carlos Mazon, noted that the gusts of wind were moving at speeds between 110 and 120 kilometers per hour, and while the speed dropped to 30-40 kilometers per hour in the morning, it still helped fuel the fire.
Despite Spain, like much of Europe, experiencing heavy rains and gales from Storm Ciaran, the drought-stricken land's inability to absorb much of the storm water has not helped in preventing the wildfire.