forest fires

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

Government issues call to reduce water consumption "at all levels"

On the anniversary of the 1998 fire that destroyed 24,000 hectares, experts warn that the risk remains high

It is expected that the heat wave will last from Thursday to Saturday and that temperatures will climb to at least 34ºC throughout Catalonia. The Catalan Government has closed eight forest areas of high risk and has limited agricultural activity. Civil Protection is on ‘pre-alert’ in 27 counties and firefighters have began pre-emptive surveillance of areas that will be at risk. In other developments, the Catalan Police have found DNA on the cigarette butt which started the fires in Portbou.

Firefighters from Catalonia will be sharing their knowledge and experience of different types of fire. Catalan firefighters have experience with various kinds of fire because of Catalonia’s geographic diversity. The organisers of the bespoke courses designed for the varied conditions in Ireland, France and Wales, have stated that the accumulated experience “should not just remain in Catalonia but be taught internationally”.

Summer of 2010 will be one of the best in terms of surface burned by fires. Forest fires only burned 351 hectares thanks to great efforts in prevention and extinction. Catalonia has a Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers. This year’s wet and snowy winter could have been fatal.

The March snowfall and a rainy spring have brought high-risk to forests throughout Catalonia. Both rural and metropolitan citizens are taking extra steps to prevent summer forest fires.