CATALUNYA is bracing for the third heatwave of the summer as forecasts warn of 40C highs and extreme wildfire risk.
The heatwave began on Sunday and is expected to last until Thursday as hot Saharan air masses settle across the region’s four provinces, according to regional weather service Meteocat.
Catalunya’s regional government has issued ‘extreme wildfire danger’ warnings for 72 municipalities and announced it would restrict access to eight natural parks to reduce the risk of fires.
Meteocat has also warned that overnight temperatures could remain as high as 26C in cities such as Barcelona, offering little respite from the daytime heat.
The influx of hot air from Africa has also brought a cloud of suspended Saharan dust, worsening air quality in areas including Ribera d’Ebre.
This is the third heatwave to hit Catalunya this summer. The first arrived in June, while the second began around July 5.
Sources indicate that around 300 people in the region have required medical treatment for heat-related conditions since the second heatwave began.
The warning comes after a series of wildfires ravaged the region earlier this summer.
In early July, a fire in La Bisbal d’Emporda forced more than 12,000 residents to shelter indoors as flames consumed 23 square kilometres of countryside near Girona.
Another wildfire took place near Barcelona on June 26, with five hotspots breaking out almost simultaneously.
Click here to read more Catalunya News from The Olive Press.
