Government reduces ban on outdoor recreation activities to prevent wildfires to 30 towns
Authorities prohibit entering Cap de Creus, l’Albera and the Montgrí natural parks, all on the Costa Brava coastline
The Catalan government reduced the number of affected towns to prevent wildfires to 30 municipalities on Monday. Authorities had placed a ban on outdoor recreation activities in over 350 sites across Catalonia due to the high risk of fires.
Officials have also opened up several natural parks, but left Cap de Creus, l’Albera and the Mongrí ones closed to residents. The reason is the Tramuntana wind that causes some concerns to rural officers and firefighters, however, the restriction could be lifted as soon as Wednesday.
After meteorological conditions improved, the Catalan interior ministry decided to get rid of the measures in 327 towns in place until Monday at 11:59 pm.
In the other sites, outdoor leisure activities, such as camping, hiking, or rafting, will remain forbidden in an effort to prevent wildfires.
Initially, the measure was in place in only 275 towns but authorities extended it because of the heatwave.
Now, natural spaces such as Montserrat, home to a revered old monastery not far from Barcelona, as well as Les Gavarres, Montsec d'Ares, Montsec de Rúbies, Baronia de Rialb, Montsant, Montsec-Marmellar, and Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac, which was partially affected by the Pont de Vilomara blaze last week, will reopen to the public.
Further to leisure activities, the ministry keeps the prohibition on summer camp houses’ exercises outdoors and are only allowed to take place near the buildings.
Farmers will not be allowed to work heavy machinery between 12 pm and 6 pm unless they are harvesting fruit, vegetables, or rice.