Catalonia faces high forest fire risk amid extreme heat

Catalonia is facing a heightened risk of forest fires due to extreme heat, drought, and high temperatures. Authorities have activated emergency protocols, including the Pla Alfa in Sant Cugat and the Pla Infocata pre-alert in several regions such as Alt Camp and Baix Penedès, as temperatures approach 40 degrees Celsius.

Multiple recent incidents have been reported across the region. In Castellví de la Marca, a forest fire affected approximately 8 hectares of the Montmell-Marmellar natural space, necessitating the preventive confinement of residents in four urbanizations. In Collserola, firefighters worked to contain a blaze near the Sant Pere Màrtir mountain. Other smaller fires were reported in Canòlich, caused by a lightning strike, and in Llançà, where a woman was detained for allegedly causing a fire through cooking negligence.

Experts note that the vulnerability of Catalan forests is being driven by a combination of climate change, the introduction of exotic species, and the abandonment of traditional forest management. Authorities have implemented strict restrictions on open fires, machinery use, and pyrotechnics to mitigate the risk.