Forest fires have burned 90% less surface than last summer

Barcelona (ACN).- Catalonia has survived this summer’s forest fires. Only 351 hectares have been burned, far from the more than 3,000 of last year. This figure represents 90% less burned surface. In addition, no injuries or fatalities due to forest fires have been registered. The snow and heavy rains of this winter damaged the forests, accumulating a great quantity of bush and dead wood. However, prevention tasks and extinction measures paid back the efforts and what could have been a fatal fire season turned out to be one of the best. 241 fires have been declared since June, the largest burning 101.9 hectares in Tarragona.

The biggest fire was in Mèdul, in Tarragona, next to the AP7 highway on the 30^th of July. The fire coincided with the beginning of the August holidays and created traffic jams. The fire was controlled in one day and only 101.9 hectares were burned. Many airborne services were mobilised from all over Catalonia.

The second biggest fire was in Colomers, in Baix Empordà county next to the Costa Brava. 88 hectares were burned and 50 people had to be evacuated as a precautionary measure due to the proximity of the fire.

Even though the fire season is over, the Catalan Ministry for Environment has stressed that everyone should be on guard as September is an unpredictable month.