Madrid (Spain), Jul. 7 (LaPresse) – In Spain, firefighters, with the support of the Military Emergencies Unit (UME), are trying to extinguish or contain several wildfires that have broken out across the country, which is currently experiencing a second heatwave. Of particular concern is the forest fire in Sentmenat, inland from Barcelona. Catalan firefighters are facing critical hours as they battle the blaze, which has already devastated 113 hectares. Catalonia’s Interior Minister, Núria Parlon, warned that the coming hours will be “complex” and that emergency crews will be “under enormous pressure” because this fire, which broke out yesterday, coincides with two other wildfires in Artesa de Segre (Lleida) and Anoia (Barcelona), which are now under control, according to local media. The Sentmenat fire has generated secondary outbreaks in recent hours, which remain active and are hampering firefighting efforts. So far, emergency services have treated 13 people, six in Anoia and seven in Sentmenat, all with minor injuries. The Catalan Fire Service has declared the wildfire in the Anoia area, in the province of Barcelona, stabilised and has lifted the confinement order for more than 30,000 people in several municipalities, with the exception of the Les Garrigues residential district. Another wildfire in Catalonia, in La Bisbal d’Empordà (Girona), has also been declared stabilised, although firefighting operations continue on its right flank. Spanish government spokesperson Elma Saiz urged the public to exercise the utmost caution and said the government has mobilised its resources, together with civil protection and the state security forces, to deal with the emergency.
Spain, wave of wildfires: blaze on the outskirts of Barcelona raises concern
Madrid (Spain), Jul. 7 (LaPresse) – In Spain, firefighters, with the support of the Military Emergencies Unit (UME), are trying to extinguish or contain several wildfires that have broken out across the country, which is currently experiencing a second heatwave. Of particular concern is the forest fire in Sentmenat, inland from Barcelona. Catalan firefighters are facing critical hours as they battle the blaze, which has already devastated 113 hectares. Catalonia’s Interior Minister, Núria Parlon, warned that the coming hours will be “complex” and that emergency crews will be “under enormous pressure” because this fire, which broke out yesterday, coincides with two other wildfires in Artesa de Segre (Lleida) and Anoia (Barcelona), which are now under control, according to local media. The Sentmenat fire has generated secondary outbreaks in recent hours, which remain active and are hampering firefighting efforts. So far, emergency services have treated 13 people, six in Anoia and seven in Sentmenat, all with minor injuries. The Catalan Fire Service has declared the wildfire in the Anoia area, in the province of Barcelona, stabilised and has lifted the confinement order for more than 30,000 people in several municipalities, with the exception of the Les Garrigues residential district. Another wildfire in Catalonia, in La Bisbal d’Empordà (Girona), has also been declared stabilised, although firefighting operations continue on its right flank. Spanish government spokesperson Elma Saiz urged the public to exercise the utmost caution and said the government has mobilised its resources, together with civil protection and the state security forces, to deal with the emergency.
