Fire in Lleida under control after burning 473 hectares

Catalan firefighters were on high alert on Saturday after multiple fires broke out across the region simultaneously. By midday Sunday, all of the fires were under control.

The most severe fire occurred in Granyera de Segarra, near Lleida. It started around noon on Saturday in an agricultural field and burned 473 hectares, mostly farmland but also nearly 150 hectares of forest.

Around twenty ground crews remain in the area to prevent flare-ups, monitor hotspots, and secure the perimeter of the fire.

The restriction that had confined residents of nearby towns — including Cervera, Granyanella, La Curullada, and Fonolleres — to their homes since Saturday afternoon has now been lifted. This affected approximately 10,000 people.

However, authorities continue to advise against unnecessary travel to the area around the fire.

The blaze forced the closure of the A-2 highway, which connects Barcelona and Madrid via Lleida, in both directions between Cervera and Tàrrega (a 17-kilometer stretch). The road has since reopened and is operating normally.

The fire was caused by a burning vehicle.

Three other minor wildfires

The other active fires were in Martorell in the Barcelona area, as well as in Sant Salvador de Guardiola near Manresa in central Catalonia, and in Ivars d’Urgell, Lleida.

These three wildfires were small, collectively burning less than 10 hectares, all on agricultural land.

The most concerning fire was the one in Martorell due to its proximity to Catalonia’s main highway, the AP-7, but it did not affected the roadway.

The situation prompted authorities to activate the INFOCAT emergency response plan.

This plan includes advising the public to avoid traveling in the affected areas in order to support firefighting efforts and ensure safety.

To learn more about Catalonia’s wildfire preparedness and this season’s outlook, listen to this week’s episode of the Filling the Sink podcast.