Sant Quirze Safaja fire forces confinement of 700 residents in Catalonia

A forest fire broke out on 24 June at about 13:22 near the BV‑1341 road, close to the La Illa camping and a nearby restaurant in Sant Quirze Safaja, Moianès (Barcelona). Catalonia’s Civil Protection sent an ES‑Alert at 15:30 ordering the town’s 700 inhabitants, as well as residents of surrounding urbanisations, to stay indoors, close doors and windows, and avoid the road, which was temporarily closed.

Around forty firefighting crews were deployed, including seven aerial units and a helicopter, to combat the blaze that spread over roughly 10–16 hectares of mainly forest vegetation. By 19:59 the fire was declared stabilised after the most active left flank was contained. The cause of the ignition remains under investigation.

In response to the incident, the regional government extended the forest‑fire alert to cover 24–25 June, keeping heightened readiness across Catalonia.