Fire in s'Albufera near Alcúdia: Who saw the white car?

Fire in s'Albufera: Residents alarmed, investigators seek witnesses

On Thursday evening, around 10:00 pm, an acrid smell of smoke spread over Alcúdia to the outskirts. Sirens, the distant crackle of flames and the whir of park rangers' quads suddenly became part of the night. In the nature reserve s'Albufera scrub and shrubland caught fire in several places — six ignition points, as emergency crews later counted in the report Six Fires Quickly Extinguished — but Questions Remain.

Half a hectare, much more than just scorched earth

The damaged area is estimated at around half a hectare. Fortunately none of the sites reached dense pine forest, but the area is ecologically sensitive: s'Albufera is a resting place and feeding habitat for migratory birds, and in late summer, when many species are on the move, any lost area is a blow. It matters immediately for small plants, for breeding insects, for families of reptiles.

The trail leads to a white car

Several residents consistently report a young man with a white car who was seen with a lighter shortly before one of the fires started. Some said the same man had previously been noticed at the same spot with an open fire. Because of these clues the Guardia Civil is now investigating the suspected arsonist and calls on the public to come forward — especially anyone who observed anything suspicious between 9:30 pm and 11:30 pm.

Why eyewitnesses are so important

Experience from many operations shows: arsonists often choose places where fire spreads quickly and is hard to control — edges of paths, dry scrub, spots not visible from main roads. Eyewitnesses can reveal recurring patterns: times, vehicles, clothing, even smells. Precisely these small details can decisively fill an investigation file.

What is often overlooked in the debate

Public discussion quickly focuses on assigning blame — which is understandable. Less noticed is how much structural weaknesses increase the risk: limited staffing of park rangers, restricted night patrols, lack of weather-independent surveillance at sensitive points. Added to this is the problem of leisure users who park at the edge of the reserve at dusk, barbecue or smoke — often without malicious intent, but with major consequences.

Concrete steps that could help

The situation requires not only investigation but also prevention. Proposals that would make sense on site:

- More visible night patrols: Increased presence of park rangers and Guardia Civil reduces opportunities for crimes and builds trust with residents.

- Mobile, solar-powered cameras: Deployable in the short term at hotspots — not for permanent surveillance, but as evidence and deterrent.

- Clear parking and fire bans with enforcement: Information signs combined with sporadic checks prevent thoughtless fires.

- Local reporting hotline and reward for tips: If people know who to contact — and that tips are taken seriously — willingness to report suspicious activity increases.

- Community actions to maintain firebreaks: Coordinated by the municipality and conservation authorities, with volunteers and farmers; pragmatic work, not romantic Sunday clean-ups.

The people on the ground

The morning after the fire volunteers were seen with garbage bags and shovels at the roadside, clearing traces of the night and opening paths. A resident walking with a flashlight summed it up dryly: “You can smell the smoke, see the flames on the horizon and hope it doesn’t turn into a larger inferno. But the fear remains.”

What you can do now

If you saw anything on the night in question — a white car, a person behaving oddly, fragments of a license plate — please report it to the Guardia Civil. Even small observations help. Continue to avoid the closed areas of s'Albufera, respect ranger instructions and inform guests and neighbors about the situation. Prevention starts in everyday life: one less stubbed-out cigarette, no open fire at the roadside.

Note: The investigation is ongoing. The Guardia Civil has not released further details so far.