Two wildfires in Catalonia force 40,000 people into confinement

Catalonia is facing a critical week as two major wildfires rage out of control, forcing the confinement of 40,000 residents. A severe heatwave has turned the region's dense, dry forests into a tinderbox, overwhelming the response capacity of the regional fire service, Bombers de la Generalitat.

In Sentmenat, Barcelona, an uncontrolled wildfire has spread rapidly, igniting secondary fires and affecting approximately sixty hectares. This blaze has led to the confinement of 7,000 people in seven residential areas. Simultaneously, another significant fire is burning between the towns of Carme and La Pobla de Claramunt in Anoia, impacting an additional 33,000 residents who are confined to their homes in towns including Igualada and Vilanova del Camí. Reports indicate that some buildings in La Pobla de Claramunt and factories in Vilanova del Camí have been affected by the flames.

The Generalitat has requested assistance from the Military Unit of Emergencies (UME) to bolster ground efforts. Emergency alerts have been sent to mobile phones in the affected areas, urging residents to stay indoors, close windows and doors, and follow official instructions. Firefighters are prioritizing the left flank of the Sentmenat fire, which is acting as the main driver and has generated multiple secondary ignitions. Preliminary data suggests this fire has already consumed about ten hectares of mostly forest land.

Adding to the crisis, a separate fire in La Bisbal d’Empordà, Girona, continues to burn, having already scorched approximately 2,200 hectares. Firefighters describe the situation as a "critical week" due to the elevated risk of wildfires. The intensity of the Sentmenat fire was notable, with initial flames reportedly reaching speeds of up to 850 meters per second.

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