Over 900 vehicles access the Riera de Merlès weekly during the summer, with numbers increasing in August. This year, however, high temperatures and extreme fire risk have forced the four surrounding municipalities to close all parking facilities. This measure is in addition to the swimming ban in effect since the pandemic.
The decision comes after the floods on June 4th left a large accumulation of trees and vegetation in the riverbed. Subsequent drought has turned this material into a potential fuel. The mayor of Santa Maria de Merlès, Sara Costa, expressed concern, stating, "all of this is now a tinderbox." The town councils are urging the Catalan Water Agency (ACA) to expedite the removal of this vegetation.
The early June floods caused significant damage to the river, damaging or destroying about twenty bridges and footbridges, uprooting hundreds of trees, and carrying away logs and vegetation. Despite initial actions by the ACA to remove trees obstructing the river's course, the municipalities believe much vegetation still needs to be cleared.
Mayor Sara Costa warns that the situation has worsened with recent high temperatures, turning the dead vegetation into a "tinderbox." Residents recall the major fire of 1994 and fear a similar event could occur.
The closure of parking areas is primarily for safety reasons. Núria Valls, territorial coordinator for the Central Catalonia Environmental Information Service, notes that the concentration of popular bathing spots in a narrow stretch with limited mobile coverage and dispersed visitors would make evacuation difficult in case of fire. Preventing vehicle access from blocking emergency services is a priority.
Fourteen environmental officers are monitoring the four main access points. Despite reduced visitor numbers, fines have been issued for accessing prohibited areas, picnicking, or lighting fires when the Alfa 3 Plan is active.
Officials emphasize that the restrictions not only protect the natural environment but also ensure rapid response from firefighters and medical services in emergencies.
The municipalities are now calling on the ACA to intensify vegetation removal efforts, deeming current actions "insufficient" given the high fire risk. They hope work will resume soon. Concurrently, they are rebuilding damaged bridges and footbridges, including the restoration of the medieval bridge of Sant Martí.
