CATALAN firefighters are preparing for the ‘highest risk’ of wildfires on Wednesday as the region faces its third heatwave of the summer.
A spokeswoman for Catalan firefighters told The Olive Press additional firefighting resources are being deployed as fears grow of fast-moving wildfires and secondary hotspots in forested areas over the coming days.
To strengthen prevention measures, three to four extra basic firefighting units will support existing teams in each emergency area, while volunteer fire stations will remain open.
“The most concerning areas are the forested areas of central Catalunya and the agricultural zone of Lleida, where there will be a combination of high temperatures, low humidity levels and western winds,” she explained.
In these areas, the risk has been rated five out of six by the Forest Action Group (GRAF), while the rest of Catalunya is currently at four out of six.
Town halls across the four provinces have been asked to provide civilians with as many cooling spaces as possible as a refuge from the high temperatures.
Temperatures began rising on Sunday and are not expected to ease until Thursday, prompting warnings for residents to ‘not let their guard down’.
Since then, 76 Catalan municipalities have been placed on alert, while eight natural parks have been closed to the public.
Catalan firefighters have reinforced all high-risk areas and have also banned fires and other potentially dangerous activities near green spaces.
They are closely monitoring recent wildfires, as all firefighting organisations prepare to respond to any potential incidents.
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