One arrested for starting a fire in Tiana
The firefighters have controlled the fire, which forced to confine four municipalities and two urbanizations, seven hours later
BarcelonaA column of smoke visible from many points in Barcelonès has set off the alarms of the Generalitat Firefighters, who upon arriving at the initial point of the fire, between Tiana and Montgat, saw that there were three fires lit at the same time. It was 10:45 on Friday morning, and this already made the emergency services suspect that it could be intentional, as they also saw how the fire was ascending at great speed up the ridge. Some witnesses quickly located a man suspected of having set them – they assured that they had seen him starting the fire – a presumed arsonist whom the Mossos d'Esquadra have arrested on the mountain itself. But there was still a lot of work to do, especially because the fire broke out very close to the metropolitan area of Barcelona, the most densely populated area. Around 4:30 PM, the Minister of the Interior, Núria Parlon, announced that the fire had been stabilized and, after 5 PM, the Firefighters declared it controlled.
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The firefighters have spread out over an area of about sixty hectares – around forty have burned, however, according to Rural Agents data – and have begun to tackle the fire with about thirty ground crews and ten aerial units. The fire has reached the top of a hill, which has worried the emergency teams, but fortunately it has not descended down the opposite ridge. It was the first moment of optimism for the corps.
Nevertheless, restrictive measures were necessary, such as the confinement of four municipalities: Sant Fost de Campsentelles, Martorelles, Santa Maria de Martorelles, and Tiana. Also that of the Colònia Bosc urbanization and that of the La Conreria hostel. Around 2 p.m., the firefighters decided to deactivate the confinement order for the four municipalities, but maintained it for the two urbanizations until the fire was considered under control. To order all these confinements, Civil Protection sent several ES-Alerts.
High intensity
The head of the firefighters' device, Pep Colàs, explained that the fire was burning very intensely, driven by the sea breeze, which later strengthened, especially on the right flank. It was when a pyrocumulus was created that the firefighters decided to deploy all available forces to prevent the fire from growing much more and to avoid simultaneity with any other fire in other areas of the country.
Colàs explained that they have no record of any person or dwelling being affected. There was a missing person in the area, but they finally found them. The head of the device indicated that the sea breeze pushed the fire to the right, but a very extensive vineyard field greatly slowed down the intensity of the fire. Parlon also emphasized the importance of these vineyards.
To the scene of the fire, the firefighters deployed up to 48 units, including 16 water vehicles, 11 aerial means (4 bomber helicopters, 3 command helicopters, and 4 surveillance and attack planes), GRAF units (Forestry Action Group), and EPAF (Active Forest Prevention Teams). The Barcelona firefighters also participated. Once stabilized, the forces continued on the ground to work on the entire perimeter, but they will progressively de-escalate resources to have them operational in their respective stations, as a large part of the country continues with a high and very high risk of fire.
In addition to determining the affected area, the Rural Agents have initiated investigations into the causes. They went to the affected area with an operation consisting of five patrols that are inspecting with particular emphasis on the location and analysis of the ignition points. They have now discovered the presence of at least five focal points, and everything points to a deliberately set fire.
Simultaneous fire in Tàrrega
Another fire has complicated the day for the Firefighters. In this case, also this Friday morning, a fire of agricultural vegetation has broken out in the town of Santa Maria de Montmagastrell, in Tàrrega. Uncut crops and stubble are burning intensely. Fortunately, the Firefighters report that the discharges from the aerial means have been very effective and they are already returning to their bases.
The corps maintains about twenty ground crews to anchor the fire and is working in an area of approximately 41 hectares. This fire has also forced the confinement of the town of Santa Maria de Montmagastrell; a measure that has also been lifted early in the afternoon.