Forest fire forces lockdown of two towns in Lleida

Second fire in Alt Penedès shuts down AP-7 highway in both directions

Forest fire in Ciutadilla, in the Lleida region
Forest fire in Ciutadilla, in the Lleida region / Anna Berga
Catalan News

Catalan News | @catalannews | Barcelona

July 31, 2024 05:06 PM

August 1, 2024 09:53 AM

The heatwave in Catalonia caused two major incidents on Wednesday.

In Ciutadilla, in the western region of Lleida, a fire broke out in agricultural and forest vegetation in the early afternoon. 

More than 70 units of the Catalan fire brigade, including 12 aerial units, worked throughout the day to extinguish the flames. 

By Thursday morning, the fire had been stabilized.

According to preliminary data from rural agents, approximately 209 hectares have been affected, of which 143 are agricultural land and 65 are forest.

The fire initially led to two towns, Ciutadilla and Nalec, with a combined population of about 600 people, being put under lockdown, as well as the closure of the C-14 road.

But by Thursday morning, the closures had been lifted and the C-14 was working. 

AP-7 closed due to fire 

A vehicle fire that spread to the surrounding vegetation forced the closure of Catalonia's main highway, the AP-7, in both directions near Subirats, in the Alt Penedès region. 

The fire, which broke out at around 4.30 pm, was under control by 7 pm and burned a total of 2.4 hectares.

Twenty units of firefighters, including two aerial teams, worked throughout the day to extinguish the flames. 

The closure of the highway resulted in 8 kilometers of traffic in both directions.