Spanish towns impose strict fireworks restrictions for Saint John’s Eve celebrations

Municipalities in Galicia, including Vilagarcía de Arousa and Padrón, have limited or banned fireworks for Saint John’s Eve, prompting the Galician Pyrotechnic Association (AGIP) to announce legal action and seek compensation. AGIP argues that regulated pyrotechnic displays pose “practically no risk” of forest fires, citing official statistics that show a zero‑impact year in 2025.

In Catalonia, coastal authorities have enforced a tight regulatory framework for the beach festivities. Improvised bonfires, pyrotechnics within 500 m of vegetation, lanterns, glass containers, vehicles and camping are prohibited. The Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB) deployed a special clean‑up operation with 160 workers, compactors, sand‑screening machines and water‑pressurised trucks to clear the beaches from 06:00 to 09:30 on 24 June and for two days thereafter. Similar fire‑risk alerts were issued in Lleida’s comarques, where Level 3 danger led some towns to cancel traditional bonfires while others reinforced safety measures.

Together, these actions reflect a nationwide emphasis on public‑safety and environmental protection during the high‑profile Saint John’s Eve celebrations, while the pyrotechnic industry contests the restrictions as politically motivated and economically harmful.