Barcelona recorded two fires that burned a combined 0.48 hectares between the start of its forest-fire campaign in April and 7 August, according to figures presented by Albert Batlle, the city's third deputy mayor. The low burned area has so far limited fire damage in the city’s urban-forest zones, but residents in mountain neighbourhoods are being asked to remain alert while the campaign continues.

Batlle said prevention and cooperation between residents, public bodies and emergency services had helped keep the impact limited. He said the campaign will remain in place until at least September and could continue into October.

“We cannot lower our guard. We must maintain a sustained and continuous effort in prevention and surveillance.”Albert Batlle, Barcelona’s third deputy mayor

Patrols and weather alerts in Collserola

The Barcelona City Council has reinforced operations in Collserola and other urban-forest areas, including the opening of Vallvidrera Park and an increase in staff and equipment, Batlle said.

  • 208 preventive forest patrols were carried out between 22 April and 31 July.
  • Authorities activated 42 meteorological pre-alerts during that period.
  • Fifteen of those alerts were classified as critical.

Batlle said controlling vegetation on privately owned land in Barcelona’s mountain neighbourhoods remains complex. He said the council could discuss regulatory changes with Collserola Park and other administrations if changes are needed to simplify maintenance procedures.

Seven compact fire engines added to the fleet

The city council has invested €3.47 million in seven new light fire engines for the Barcelona Fire Department. The vehicles are intended to operate in narrow streets in districts including Ciutat Vella and Gràcia, where larger engines can face access constraints.

Gerard Pradas, head of the Firefighter Space and Prevention Outreach Unit, said the vehicles are six metres long and 2.5 metres wide. They are designed for urban incidents rather than large forest fires.

“They are more than sufficient to tackle urban fires,”Gerard Pradas, Firefighter Space and Prevention Outreach Unit

The engines can discharge up to 2,000 litres of water a minute at low pressure and about 400 litres a minute at high pressure. They also have air suspension, automatic transmission and battery-powered portable electric tools.

Barcelona’s forest-fire campaign remains active until at least September, with patrols and weather pre-alerts continuing in Collserola and other urban-forest areas.

Reported by Source Text Link, cope.es.