Peramola wildfire 'stabilized' but sixth day Baldomar is active

Firefighters successfully "stabilized" the Peramola wildfire, in northwestern Catalonia's Alt Urgell county, on Monday morning.

The blaze affected some 123 hectares of mainly forest land, most of them in the Serra d'Aubenç and Roc de Gogul Area of Natural Interest. 

Imatges aèries d'un avió de vigilància i atac de #bomberscat descarregant aigua aquest mateix matí sobre l'incendi de Peramola, que està ESTABILITZAT des de primera hora d'avui. pic.twitter.com/0gakgQKSBu

— Bombers (@bomberscat) June 20, 2022

Artesa de Segre

The Baldomar fire in Artesa de Segre, in western Catalonia, continues active into its sixth day having already burned over 2,400 hectares. 

73 ground crews are actively working on the scene, with aerial teams set to join them shortly. Most of their efforts are focused on a "small part" of the western flank. 

Authorities are cautiously optimistic about possibly being able to stabilize the wildfire on Monday as weather conditions in the area have improved.  

Olivella

The Olivella fire in Garraf county, south of Barcelona, which broke out on Saturday, was "controlled" on Monday morning. 

There are still 24 ground crews working in the area to prevent to completely extinguish the blaze and prevent it from spreading. 

60 fires per day

An average of 60 fires per day have broken out from Wednesday to Monday - some 300 in under a week - amid unseasonably high temperatures and very low humidity, Catalan interior minister Joan Ignasi Elena said in an interview with RAC1 on Monday morning. 

Firefighters have been under "a lot of pressure" these days, Joan Delort, the head of Catalonia's Fire Prevention, Extinction and Rescue Directorate, added. 

14 Catalan counties are still at a higher risk of blazes as of June 20 - fewer than over previous days thanks to a slight drop in temperatures. 

Es desactiva el nivell 3⃣ del Pla Alfa i es manté el nivell 2⃣ en 1⃣4⃣ comarques de Ponent i la Catalunya Central, per una millora de les condicions motivada per una baixada de temperatures, un increment de les humitats relatives i una reducció del vent. https://t.co/56u8Vmd80X

— Agents Rurals (@agentsruralscat) June 20, 2022

Sant Joan restrictions

Fireworks, firecrackers, and bonfires are usually a staple of Sant Joan summer solstice festivities in Catalonia.

Although there are restrictions every year – fireworks are not allowed under 500 meters from vegetation – this year there could be additional ones on Thursday night given the elevated risk of wildfires across Catalonia.

Elena said that if these were put in place, however, they would only affect specific areas depending on the weather.