Rural Agents continue investigation into western Catalonia wildfire

The Catalan Rural Agents continue their investigation into the western Catalonia wildfire, in Torrefeta i Florejacs, from this week to avoid any re-starts.

To do so, agents use drones, helicopters, and on-ground staff across a 94-kilometer perimeter, as the fire affected around 6,000 hectares, according to provisional data. The aerial images are then compared with satellite imagery that officials already have, and will be used to compare the affected area.

Once the fire is completely extinguished, experts will be able to analyze how many hectares have been affected in the first ever sixth-generation fire ever recorded in Catalonia.

Rural Agents are also investigating the start of the fire, which, at the moment, hypotheses point to a farm mower.

The fire in Torrefeta i Florejacs was reported under control on Wednesday night, after starting on Tuesday at 5:08 pm. Flames spread at a peak speed of 28 kilometers per hour, one of the highest recorded in fires in Europe.

The most affected towns are Torrefeta i Florejacs, Vilanova de l'Aguda, Cabanabona, Oliola, and Agramunt.

In addition to the two fatalities, two firefighters have been injured. One of them has injuries from sparks in his eyes, and the other was hospitalized with a mild condition after pieces of the roof of a collapsed haystack fell on him.

Moisés Galán, head of the firefighters unit at the site, said that the team had run "into people looking around. This is a risk in any firefighters' deployment, specially if we had sent a phone warning. A warning must be obeyed by, as these warnings are sent for the security of residents."

Catalonia and wildfires

Catalonia is one of the European regions most vulnerable to wildfires. Its hot, dry summers, combined with strong winds, vast forested areas, and rugged terrain, create the perfect conditions for forest fires. 

Over the past decade, Catalonia has experienced an average of 500 wildfires per year, with around 1,800 hectares burned annually. 

Listen to the podcast below to learn more about Catalonia's wildfire strategy.