'Virulent' central Catalonia blaze affects more than 1,600 hectares

The Pont de Vilomara wildfire in Bages county, near the central Catalonia city of Manresa, has, as of Monday at around 7 pm, burned 1,743 hectares since breaking out midday on Sunday. Firefighters have a large part of the blaze under control, but the eastern flank is still burning. 

Authorities hope to have it stabilized early on Monday evening.

"We have the western flank and the head of the fire under control," David Borrell, the head of the Bombers de la Generalitat fighters unit said. "On the eastern flank, we have not seen any increase, so we are happy about it, but there are still few hours to go."  

The eastern flank is beside the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac natural park and has been "proving to be more difficult," an audibly fatigued Catalan interior minister Joan Ignasi Elena told Catalunya Ràdio on Monday morning from the firefighter command center on the scene. 

Describing the fire as particularly "virulent" due to the heatwave, Elena said that firefighters had been working all night long, but displayed caution when asked when it would be extinguished.

Imatges dels treballs que han estat fent #bomberscat al llarg de la matinada a #IFPontVilomara. En total, 118 dotacions terrestres, que han intensificat les tasques d'extinció al flanc dret. Al cap del foc hi ha hagut pagesos llaurant i la unitat #GRAF fent-hi cremes. pic.twitter.com/2CUMrdJgqX

— Bombers (@bomberscat) July 18, 2022

"There is a risk it will start up again in other areas," he said, citing high temperatures and low humidity levels.

During a press conference in the afternoon, Joan Ignasi Elena, announced that temperatures "should drop" on Tuesday and Wednesday, but temperatures will still be higher than usual for this time of the year, he warned. 

350 firefighters 

There are around 350 firefighters and 150 aerial crews working on the fire. 

"The goal is to contain and stabilize the eastern flank to prevent the fire from accessing the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac natural park," Francesc Boia, a firefighter inspector, said before announcing there would be no further stay-at-home orders. As of 7 pm, 449 hectares of the natural park had been affected. 

A few hundred residents have had to be evacuated as flames have reached at least a dozen houses in the area.

Possibly human-caused

Rural officers believe the fire could have been caused by humans. Antoni Mur, head of the team, explained on Monday morning that there had not been any thunderstorms in the area over the past few days that could have caused it. 

"It should be related to human activity due to an accident, negligence or it could have been intentional," he said, but an investigation will still need to take place.

To avoid future wildfires, Catalan president Pere Aragonès urged citizens to follow recommendations during this "extreme" situation, as the risk will "continue during the upcoming weeks," the president said before thanking the work done so far by emergency units, local authorities, and residents.

Other fires

Not long after 3 pm, a second, smaller fire broke out in an old landfill between Manresa and Pont de Vilomara. 

📹 Imatges d'aquest segons incendi al Bages, entre Pont de Vilomara i Rocafort i Manresa

Dispositiu actual amb
🚒 14
🚁 7 pic.twitter.com/hE21XucV3S

— Bombers (@bomberscat) July 18, 2022

Firefighters quickly deployed several land and aerial units on the scene to avoid the fire from enlarging. Around 5pm, officials had confirmed the blaze was already under control. 

Another fire started on a hillside near the town of Àger, in Noguera county north of Lleida, around the same time. There are 10 land units and 9 aerial units working to put out the fire that is located in an area that is difficult to reach. 

This is one of the fires that worries the most authorities as they want to avoid having "two simultaneous fires" in the territory, as David Borrell said.

Heatwave restrictions

The ban on outdoor activities, including camping or hiking in natural parks, announced last Thursday to prevent wildfires will be extended, Elena said. 

In place in 275 municipalities, the minister explained that the number of cities and towns affected by the ban would be updated on Thursday at midnight, when authorities will also decide whether the measures should remain in place.

"The situation is very complicated here and across the country," Elena said. "Even when the temperature drops slightly, it is still above what is normal for this time of the year."

Mapa de pla alfa dia 18/07/2022 pic.twitter.com/8kZ63wzmMF

— Agents Rurals (@agentsruralscat) July 18, 2022

Almost all Catalan counties are at high or very high risk of wildfires.