On the Montgo massif, the councils of Denia and Javea have tightened controls to enforce the ban on access, following the joint instruction from the Valencian Agency for Security and Emergency Response and the Regional Department of Environment and Territory. Local police in both towns sealed off entrances to the park and deployed special ground patrols.

Crucially, surveillance has also taken to the skies. Both municipalities are using drones operated by their local police forces to monitor the Montgó from above, ensuring that no one enters the protected natural area. In Javea, drone patrols also cover the Granadella forest park, which is under the same restrictions.

The use of aerial technology is proving vital in extending the reach of emergency measures, providing authorities with real-time information to detect potential breaches and, more importantly, spot any early signs of wildfire outbreaks.

Extraordinary measures

The regional government stressed that these extraordinary measures are necessary, as prolonged drought, soaring temperatures and dry winds have left the Valencian countryside highly vulnerable to wildfires. In recent weeks, blazes in Castellón and inland Valencia and Alicante have already forced evacuations and destroyed forest land, with firefighters working in extreme conditions to contain the flames.

The Costa Blanca remains on maximum wildfire alert (Level 3 of the Special Plan for Forest Fire Risk, PEIF) as the ongoing heatwave continues to push temperatures to extreme levels. On Saturday August 16, thermometers reached 41.8°C in Pego, while on Sunday the highest reading was recorded in Pedreguer at 40.9°C.

The entire Valencian region faces the same critical situation, leading the Generalitat to order the closure of 17 natural parks, including Montgo and Marjal de Pego-Oliva. These closures are expected to remain in place.