More access restrictions to wooded areas due to the eclipse: "Let no more people come"
The Government and the municipalities agree on limitations due to the high risk of fire and the possibility of saturation of natural spaces
BarcelonaThe forecast of an exceptional influx of visitors to observe this Wednesday's total solar eclipse and the high temperatures, which will skyrocket the risk of forest fires, have forced authorities to reinforce preventive measures in several areas of the territory. In Segrià, La Granja d'Escarp, Seròs, Almatret, and the plains of Montmaneu, access to wooded areas will be restricted; a measure that was agreed upon in Lleida this Monday in a meeting with representatives of the Rural Agents, Civil Protection, and the territorial services of the Interior, but which had already been previously taken in the Ports Natural Park – in Montsià, Terra Alta, and Baix Ebre – and in the Serra del Montsant Natural Park, in effect between 9 p.m. on Tuesday and 8 a.m. on Thursday.
In the case of Segrià, the town councils of La Granja d'Escarp, Seròs, and Almatret will prohibit the entry of vehicles and people into various wooded areas if they do not live there or do not have a prior reservation to observe this astronomical event. The objective is to avoid a concentration of people and vehicles that could hinder the passage of firefighters or other security forces in case of fire.
The mayor of La Granja d'Escarp, Manel Solé, explained that the town councils are "saturated with calls" from people interested in accessing their municipalities to see the eclipse. "The risk [of fire] is getting higher and higher and could become extreme," he pointed out. And he added: "We will not know which plan will be activated until Wednesday itself, and what we will do is preventively play it safe and limit access a day before," he noted.
Access restrictions in these Lleida towns will be marked with fences and tapes, but no physical barriers will be installed that could impede the passage of emergency services. The town councils will inform of the points where the closures will be made and will redirect visitors to the designated areas for parking vehicles and safely observing the eclipse. The mayor of Seròs, Josep Antoni Romia, has called for not traveling to the municipality if you do not have a prior reservation. "We ask that no more people come because there is no longer space in the prepared areas to be able to see the eclipse without any risk," he warned.
More rural agents
On the other hand, the Government has reported that Rural Agents will mobilize nearly 150 officers to reinforce surveillance in protected natural spaces and intensify actions to prevent forest fires and control compliance with environmental regulations.
The operation includes the participation of air and marine support groups, and the Special Group for Poisons and Anti-poaching, and is coordinated by the Mossos d'Esquadra, Civil Protection, the Forest Defense Groups, town councils, and managers of natural spaces. The corps calls for responsibility when enjoying the solar eclipse and respecting the environment in the face of the danger of forest fires.