Barcelona strengthens Collserola against the extreme forest-fire risk

In the morning, the City Council activated the Municipal Action Plan for Forest Fire Risk at alert phase after the Generalitat placed Barcelonès at level 3 of the Plan Alfa. High temperatures and dry vegetation increase the possibility that any small outbreak could spread quickly.

The situation demonstrated its severity just hours later, with a fire declared on the Sant Pere Màrtir hill in Collserola. The fire made it necessary to mobilise numerous ground and air resources, close forest access points and preventively confine residents of Can Caralleu before it was stabilised.

Preventive restrictions remain particularly important. Since 15 March, forestry work or any activity capable of generating sparks has been prohibited within 500 metres of forest masses. Burning waste or holding barbecues in these areas is also not allowed.

Bombers de Barcelona’s forest campaign has been active since the beginning of June and will continue until mid-September. During these months, shifts and resources are adapted to reduce response times to fires and reinforce surveillance tasks on days of greatest risk.

Within the municipal boundary there are around 1,800 forest hectares linked to Collserola, distributed mainly across Les Corts, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Horta-Guinardó and Nou Barris. The proximity of woodland, homes and roads makes any fire a problem that can quickly reach inhabited areas.

The City Council asks people to take extreme precautions during these days and avoid any behaviour that could cause a spark or flame. After the fire recorded this very Friday, the risk has ceased to be a theoretical threat: surveillance of Collserola and cooperation from those who live or walk next to the forest will be decisive while the heat and extreme conditions continue.