A precarious situation on the border between France and Spain, where a forest fire is ravaging the Spanish Mediterranean coast. On Friday, weather conditions contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, leading to the evacuation of an entire village and a campsite, and affecting more than 573 hectares of forest (as at 3 pm). This complex situation, mainly due to the challenging topography of the area, has mobilised between 280 and 300 firefighters, as well as seven aerial resources.
Strong Tramontana winds, with gusts exceeding 50 km/h, hampered aerial operations, according to reports from the Spanish meteorological agency, Aemet. French assistance came in the form of ten fire engines from the Pyrénées-Orientales, as well as a water-bombing aircraft. However, the aircraft was unable to drop water on Friday due to the strong winds, as reported by a spokesperson for the French fire service.
Firefighters and civilians injured
At least four firefighters and two civilians were injured whilst fighting the fire. According to the Spanish authorities, the injuries are considered to be ‘minor’.
According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), Spain already suffered severe damage last summer, with around 500 fires ravaging more than 300,000 hectares of forest. This year, the fires have already destroyed nearly 70,000 hectares.
The fire, which broke out on Friday afternoon in the tourist town of Portbou, has forced several villages in the region to go into lockdown. More than 2,500 hectares are currently under threat, and efforts are focused on preventing the fire from spreading southwards, in order to protect the town of Llançà.
🔥 On the border between the Pyrénées-Orientales and Spain, the Portbou wildfire has already destroyed more than 400 hectares since yesterday evening! Footage of the flames reaching Colera this morning
📸 © Sira Grané Farré pic.twitter.com/HLSJNKKKtj— Actus Meteo (@actus_meteo) 5 August 2023
More than 130 people had to be evacuated during the night. In addition, hundreds more have been confined to villages and campsites that attract thousands of tourists every summer. Volunteers from the Catalan Red Cross are also taking part in the operations to support the local population. As a result of the fire, more than 4,000 people are without electricity in the region and rail services have been suspended between Portbou and the town of Figueras. Furthermore, the main road to Portbou and the border has been closed.
At present, around 80 Spanish fire crews are deployed at the scene, alongside French firefighters from the Pyrénées-Orientales department.