Parlon warns that weekend fires mean "staying alert" for Saint John's Eve

BarcelonaAfter a weekend with several fires in the natural environment that have strained emergency services, the Minister of Interior and Public Security, Núria Parlon, has stated that it is necessary to "be alert" for the celebration of Sant Joan's Eve. She warned about this at the presentation of the special operation, and emphasized that "all prevention in the use of pyrotechnics is little". In this way, this year's Interior campaign for Sant Joan's Eve plans to deploy more than 200 rural agents throughout the territory and 133 professionals from CAT112 between June 22 and 28, and to reinforce the guard of the Generalitat Firefighters, with a 50% increase in staff. On the other hand, during these six days, 678 drug and alcohol controls will be set up on the roads.

In a press conference this Monday morning from the Department of the Interior, Parlon insisted on caution and recalled that last year the Firefighters received 1,356 calls between 8 PM on June 23 and 8 AM on June 24. The minister emphasized that in the forests "there is more fuel", which can cause it to burn "quickly". According to the map that the Rural Agents make public daily, there are several municipalities in Catalonia with a level 3 out of 4 risk of fire. These areas are mainly concentrated in Ponent, in the regions of La Noguera, La Segarra, El Segrià, and La Terra Alta.

Mobility

Saint John's always represents a challenge for mobility, as many people move around, especially by car, to celebrate the vigil. Parlon has highlighted that this year Saint John's night is during the week and "this can affect mobility". In this regard, she pointed out that the departure of 610,000 vehicles is expected this weekend, of which 290,000 will return, and for the vigil, she has calculated that 490,000 will leave and 240,000 will return. A movement that the minister has emphasized will involve measures "to better regulate" traffic. Parlon has specified that there will be additional lanes on the AP-7 and C-32. At the same time, traffic restrictions will be applied to heavy vehicles on the AP-7 between the sections of Maçanet de la Selva and l'Hospitalet de l'Infant (Baix Camp) on June 23rd and Sant Celoni and Vilafranca del Penedès on the 24th.

"Don't burst the revelry"

Just like last year, Civil Protection has launched a communication campaign with the aim of promoting a safe celebration of the vigil. The body has once again chosen the same slogan as in 2025, "Don't set off fireworks at the vigil", and through leaflets, posters, and social media materials, practical advice is given on the use of fireworks and on avoiding fires. For example, collect clothes that are drying outside and close doors and windows, and in fact Parlon explained that not long ago "there was a fire that burned very quickly and very intensely due to clothes drying outside".

It also states that bonfires must be authorized by the town councils and that noise should be avoided, as far as possible, for highly sensitive people and animals. Among the suggestions is not to ignite pyrotechnics inside bricks, bottles, or other containers that can generate shrapnel when they explode.