The Generalitat Firefighters have been working since early afternoon on a vegetation fire in Cervià de les Garrigues that is already affecting at least 20 hectares of agricultural and forest land. The fire, which has necessitated the evacuation of eight residents from their homes as a precaution and requested others to shelter in place, threatens nearby farms and farmhouses.
The fire alert was received at 2:47 PM, and 42 ground crews and 8 aerial units were deployed. The extinguishing efforts are being hampered by the heat and south wind. Firefighters are attempting to control the intensity of the left flank and close the fire on the right flank with aerial drops.
“"The location where the fire started is quite controlled and the homes are not in danger."
The mayor of Cervià de les Garrigues, Mercè Rubió, reported that the fire has already crossed the road connecting Cervià with l'Albi, and it is on this flank that efforts are being concentrated to control the flames. The City Council has communicated the situation to residents via WhatsApp groups.
In parallel, firefighters are also working on another vegetation fire in Vilafranca del Penedès, in the Serreta area, where flames have ignited forest mass. This Sunday, 30 Catalan municipalities are at very high risk of fire, with level 3 of the Alfa Plan activated in several regions, while Les Garrigues is at level 2.
Civil Protection has sent an ES-Alert to mobile phones in the Partida la Devesa area, in Cervià de les Garrigues, ordering the confinement of the population and advising them to close doors and windows. As a consequence of the fire, the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan Police) have closed traffic in both directions on roads LP-7032 (between l'Albi and Cervià de les Garrigues) and LV-7031 (between Cervià and les Borges Blanques). The causes of the fire are still unknown.
