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 the authorities to reinforce prevention measures in various areas of the territory. In Segrià, Granja d'Escarp, Seròs, Almatret, and the Montmaneu plains, 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 taken previously 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 Granja d'Escarp, Seròs, and Almatret will ban the entry of vehicles and people into various wooded areas if they do not live there or have a reservation in advance 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 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. "Each time the risk [of fire] is higher and can 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 the day before," he noted.
Access restrictions in these Lleida towns will be signposted with fences and tapes, but physical barriers that could impede the passage of emergency services will not be installed. The city councils will inform about the points where the closures will be made and will redirect visitors to the designated areas to park vehicles and observe the eclipse safely. The mayor of Seròs, Josep Antoni Romia, has called for not traveling to the municipality if a prior reservation is not available. "We ask that no more people come because there is no longer room in the areas prepared 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 strengthen surveillance in protected natural areas and intensify actions for forest fire prevention and control of compliance with environmental regulations.
The operation includes the participation of air and sea support groups, and the Special Group for Poisons and Anti-poaching, and is coordinated by the Mossos d'Esquadra, Civil Protection, Forest Defense Groups, city councils, and natural space managers. The corps calls for responsibility when enjoying the solar eclipse and respecting the environment in the face of the danger of forest fires.