Yesterday, El Poble Nou de Benitatxell hosted, Tuesday September 1 2026, in the El Puig Building, the Self-Protection Day: Prevention of forest fires and emergenciesThis initiative, promoted by the Valencian Regional Government's Ministry of Emergencies and Interior, aims to teach citizens how to act safely in risky situations. Development The event was attended by the Councillor for Citizen Security, María José Ivars, the Director General of Innovation in Emergencies, Miriam Gil, and the expert Ernesto Navarro, from the company EMERPROTEC.
Benitatxell, regional headquarters for emergency prevention
El Poble Nou de Benitatxell was chosen as the Marina Alta headquarters for this training, aimed at towns with fewer than 20.000 inhabitantsThe decision is based on the characteristics of the territory, where proximity to natural environments and a significant urban-forest interface, with scattered houses close to vegetation and a high density of chalets, make citizen preparedness vital in the face of phenomena such as torrential rains, strong gusts of wind or heat waves.
The Councillor for Citizen Security, María José Ivars, welcomed the attendees, who included regional authorities, representatives of the Civil Protection volunteers from Benitatxell and the surrounding area, members of the Local Police, and local residents. Ivars expressed her gratitude for the presence of Director General Miriam Gil, stating: "As a resident of El Poble Nou de Benitatxell, it is an honor to have you here in your hometown, Miriam, and we thank you for choosing El Poble Nou de Benitatxell as the regional headquarters to host this event."
The councilwoman highlighted the City Council's ongoing work in prevention, stating: "We work hand in hand with local emergency services. A good example of this is the signage of the..." 5 meeting points In case of emergency within the municipality, the more than 1.100 hours long. forest surveillance carried out by Civil Protection or smart sensors to detect fires."
Practical guidelines for dealing with risks: from fires to earthquakes
The central session of the day, led by emergency expert Ernesto Navarro from the company EMERPROTEC, addressed how to act before, during, and after risky situations such as fires, floods, thunderstorms, high winds, earthquakes, or domestic emergencies. Navarro emphasized that "the most important thing in all emergencies is self-protection," since not all situations require the same actions and emergency vehicles cannot always arrive immediately.
The expert has expressly praised the municipal work of El Poble Nou de Benitatxell for the signage of the 5 meeting points by areas to go to when there is a catastrophe or emergency, describing it as "excellent work".
Regarding forest fires, Navarro warned about current risk factors such as the pine processionary caterpillar infestation, which dries out trees and increases their flammability. He also emphasized that: "the 90% of fires "It doesn't start in the forest itself, but in cultivated areas or abandoned and neglected plots, that is, in the perimeter zone." Regarding the management of these private plots, he noted the complexity of the administrative procedures and coercive fines that municipalities must process before they can act on their own initiative, insisting that the best tool is professional preventative forestry.
Self-protection and evacuation are key in the face of any catastrophe
During the session, an appeal was made to the importance of having a municipal vulnerability map updated annually to provide immediate assistance to elderly people or those with reduced mobility. The key role of early warning systems and the responsible use of [the relevant resources/methods] was also emphasized. 112 and APP 112 GVA.
To close the event, Ernesto Navarro delivered a powerful message about personal safety in case of evacuation: "When you have to leave your home in a fire, you must follow the instructions of the emergency services and do so immediately; if you don't leave your house, you could lose your life."
