As per reports, extreme wildfire danger continues across large parts of the Catalan Countries, including Catalonia, the Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands, and Northern Catalonia (Pyrénées-Orientales, France) on Thursday (09 July).
• Persistent heatwave conditions, extremely high temperatures, dry vegetation, and accumulated forest undergrowth have significantly increased the likelihood of wildfire ignition and rapid fire spread. Several active wildfires and ongoing extreme weather conditions have prompted authorities to implement the highest levels of wildfire prevention measures across multiple regions.
• In Catalonia, the Special Emergency Plan for Forest Fires (INFOCAT) remains in the emergency phase, while Plan Alfa Level four, the highest wildfire danger level, has been activated in 219 municipalities across 24 counties.
• An additional 455 municipalities in 39 counties remain under Plan Alfa Level three, indicating very high wildfire danger. Authorities have progressively expanded the number of municipalities under Level four as wildfire conditions have worsened during the heatwave.
• Authorities have also restricted access to eight natural areas, including Montserrat Natural Park, Montsec d’Ares, Montsec de Rúbies, Montmell-Marmellar, Ribera Salada, Baronia de Rialb, Les Gavarres, and Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park. Access to the Montserrat Monastery remains permitted, although surrounding natural areas remain closed.
• In the Balearic Islands, most areas remain under Fire Alert Level four resulting in automatic restrictions under regional and national wildfire prevention regulations. Open fires, agricultural burning, use of spark-producing machinery near forests, and most uses of pyrotechnics remain prohibited.
