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Bomberos de Barcelona step up campaign in the city’s major green lungs
Barcelona heads into summer with more greenery, but also more risk. The rains of recent months have boosted vegetation growth in Montjuïc y Collserola, and this increase in plant mass can become fuel when temperatures rise. That’s why the City Council has launched a reinforced forest campaign to protect two of the city’s most important natural spaces.
The Bomberos de Barcelona operation began on 16 May and will continue, if conditions allow, until the end of August. There will be more preventive presence, more inspection rounds, and special monitoring in areas where the terrain, wind, and vegetation increase the risk of fire.
Last year, during the summer campaign, 15 small fires were recorded and the burnt area did not reach one hectare. The outcome was positive, but emergency services stress that this year there’s no room for complacency. The combination of abundant vegetation, heat, and human activity can change the situation in just a few days.
Collserola will also remain subject to restrictions linked to African swine fever. Access limitations in certain areas will continue over the summer to reduce the risk of the disease spreading. Protección Civil reminds us that less human presence in sensitive areas also lowers the likelihood of fires, since many fires are caused by carelessness or human activities.
Montjuïc is taking on a bigger role in this year’s campaign. Bomberos de Barcelona have detected an increased risk, especially on the southern slope, which is more exposed to sun, wind, and dry vegetation. For this reason, reconnaissance work has been stepped up in this area, which is popular with locals, athletes, and visitors.
The Vallvidrera fire station, which operates only during the forest season, is already up and running. Its role will be key in responding quickly to any alert in Collserola and strengthening coordination with other municipal services.
The message to the public is clear: avoid risky behaviour, respect restrictions, don’t enter closed-off areas, and report any column of smoke quickly. In places like Montjuïc y Collserola, where nature, neighbourhoods, and leisure are just metres apart, a small oversight can become a serious problem in minutes.
Barcelona has few large green lungs and they are heavily used. That’s precisely why prevention isn’t just a job for Bomberos de Barcelona: it also depends on how the city behaves when the heat arrives, the paths fill up, and every patch of shade becomes more precious.