Wildfire in Lleida forces 10,000 residents into confinement and closes A-2 highway

Four wildfires are currently burning simultaneously across Catalonia.

The most severe blaze is in Granyera de Segarra, near Lleida. The wildfire began on midday in an agricultural field and has already burned 347 hectares, mostly agricultural land with a smaller portion affecting forested areas.

As a precaution, residents of nearby towns - including Cervera, Granyanella, La Curullada, and Fonolleres - have been confined to their homes, affecting a total of approximately 10,000 people.

 

The fire has forced the closure of the A-2 highway, which connects Barcelona and Madrid via Lleida, in both directions between Cervera and Tàrrega (17 kilometers).

Around 250 firefighters are currently working to extinguish the fire, supported by 12 aerial units and 80 fire trucks.

Three other minor wildfires

The other active fires are 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 are 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 currently, it is not affecting 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.