Fire in Tarragona stabilized after devastating 17 hectares of protected forest.

The firefighters of the Generalitat have reported that the forest fire affecting La Figuera, in Tarragona, has been stabilized, allowing for the lifting of the confinement measures that had been imposed in the locality and in Vilella Baixa. According to the latest reports, the fire has devastated approximately 17 hectares of land, mainly in the protected natural area of Pas de L'Ase, an area of great ecological importance. The fire started at 3:38 PM near the Leandre Larín shelter, in a difficult-to-access area that complicated the firefighting efforts. However, the emergency teams, composed of 147 personnel, managed to stabilize the fire in record time, by 6:16 PM. This operation involved 42 ground units and 12 aerial resources, including four surveillance and attack planes, as well as eight helicopters, which played a crucial role in containing the flames. In response to the emergency, Civil Protection activated the Infocat plan, alerting residents via text messages on their mobile phones to confine themselves as a preventive measure. Although this measure was necessary, it generated concern among the local population, who watched as the flames approached their homes. Nevertheless, the stabilization of the fire has brought relief, and authorities have decided to lift the confinement after confirming that the fire is under control. However, the fire has impacted local infrastructures, leading to the closure of several roads, such as the T-730, T-702, T-732, and T-712. Authorities are working hard to reopen these routes as soon as possible, facilitating a return to normalcy in the region. Rural Agents continue to investigate the causes of the incident, although details on how the fire started have not yet been confirmed. Despite the stabilization of the fire, authorities are not relaxing their efforts. The focus has been on containing the left flank of the fire, which presents challenges due to the terrain's topography and weather conditions. In particular, there has been an emphasis on preventing the wind from carrying the flames toward La Figuera and Cabacés, where the population remains alert to any possible reactivation of the fire. The situation in Tarragona and the prevention of future forest fires are particularly relevant in the context of weather alerts issued in other regions of Spain. This Sunday, the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) issued an alert for extreme risk of forest fires in much of the Region of Murcia. Adverse weather conditions, including high temperatures and winds, significantly increase the risk of fire. In response to this situation, the management of the Infomur Plan in Murcia has reminded the public that lighting fires in the mountains or within a 400-meter radius of forested areas is prohibited. This reminder aims to raise public awareness about the need to avoid any activities that could provoke a fire, especially on high-risk days. For their part, the Rural Agents of Catalonia have also raised the alert, declaring level 3 of the Alfa Plan due to a very high risk of forest fires in 154 municipalities across 15 Catalan counties. According to their reports, the most threatened areas include Anoia, Conca de Barberà, Segarra, Solsonès, and Urgell, where residents have been urged to remain vigilant and be prepared to act in case of any eventuality. This recent fire in Tarragona serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of forest ecosystems and the need for proactive management in the face of risk situations. Authorities are committed to their prevention and extinguishing efforts, but collaboration and public awareness are equally crucial to reducing the incidence of these devastating natural phenomena.