Train service suspended and residents evacuated due to wildfire in northern coast

A wildfire that began in the Rousillon, one of the historical Northern Catalonia counties currently in France, is expanding southwards and has crossed the border, reaching the town of Portbou, the northernmost municipality of Costa Brava, in Catalonia.

According to the firefighters, flames entered Portbou at 4pm, and local authorities have started to evacuate people residing in the Puig de la Farella hill.

Also, N-260 and RD-914 roads, connecting both sides of the border, is now blocked, and crossborder trains between Portbou and Cervera, as well as between Portbou and Perpignan, were not running on Sunday evening.

Talking to Catalunya Ràdio station, Portbou's mayor, Xavier Barranco, said that flames were "300 meters away from urban areas."

Local authorities also called on the public to not leave home without face mask.

Over 60 Catalan firefighters are trying to put out the wildfire, as well as 360 units in the French side of the border.

On Sunday evening, over 750 hectares overall had already been affected, roughly 100 south of the border, and emergency services hope flames stop at Portbou's reservoir and do not progress further south despite the high northern winds.