The wildfire in North Catalonia, centered in Trevillac, continues to rage, having already affected an estimated 4,900 hectares, according to the latest figures from the Department of Pyrénées-Orientales. Tuesday has seen the activation of an orange alert due to an ongoing heatwave impacting the region.
Authorities have ordered the evacuation of 27 municipalities and have appealed to affected residents not to return to their homes until they receive explicit authorization. The firefighting efforts involve 800 firefighters, with 400 of them being reinforcements from other departments to support the local 400 personnel from the Pyrénées-Orientales.
The firefighting deployment is expected to be bolstered this Tuesday with the addition of eight water-bombing aircraft, six of which will arrive from various European countries. To date, there have been eleven minor injuries reported. Furthermore, several roads remain closed, including the RD66.
The air pollution caused by the fire has prompted authorities to issue specific recommendations for vulnerable groups. Pregnant women, the elderly, individuals with cardiovascular conditions, and those with asthma are advised to limit outdoor activities, keep doors and windows closed, and avoid intense physical exercise, even indoors, during smoke episodes.
For Wednesday, an exceptional risk of forest fire has been declared in three significant massifs: Fenolledès, Corberes, and Aspres, as well as in the Roussillon plain. Access to these areas will be prohibited.
