The thermal outburst that occurred this Tuesday in the provinces of Alicante and Murcia particularly affected the city of Villena, where the strong wind uprooted up to 16 trees over 25 meters in length and large-diameter trunks in sports facilities. There were no injuries, according to the Provincial Consortium of Alicante Firefighters.
In the municipality of Villena, the firefighters began to intervene at seven in the afternoon and ended at three in the morning, in a total of seven actions due to this meteorological phenomenon that occurs when a storm crosses an area with air very dry, the rain evaporates and makes the wind pick up speed.
The most significant intervention took place in the Círculo Agrícola Mercantil Villenense, some well-known sports facilities in the town where dozens of families and many children usually spend summer days.
In the pine forest of the sports center, the strong wind caused 16 large trees to fall. The presence at the facilities of a provincial firefighter and a local Villena police officer, both off duty, allowed the pine forest to be evacuated as soon as the gale began, details the Alicante Fire Consortium.
Upon arrival at the facilities, firefighters from the Villena park began to cut branches and open holes to ensure that there were no victims under the fallen trees, with the support of members of the Civil Guard. In addition, large pine trees fell on several country houses in Villena, causing various damages to homes and power lines in rural areas.
At the same time, around 7:50 p.m. on Tuesday, a forest fire broke out on the road to the Alicante town of El Pinós, which was attended by the traveling Vinalopó fire department.
According to the balance of the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), Villena registered a gust of wind of 102 kilometers per hour. Although there were no significant rises in temperature, something "typical of dry blowouts", there was a noticeable drop in humidity as the descending air hit the ground.
It is the second blowout that has occurred in the city in a few months. The previous one affected the Las Virtudes area on April 29 shortly after 3:00 a.m. and also registered a gust of more than 100 kilometers per hour. This time it was a warm blowout.
