Spain Wildfire Crisis: 18,000 Ordered Indoors As Tarragona Blaze Rages In Catalonia

Spain Wildfire Crisis:

More than 18,000 residents in Spain’s northeastern Tarragona province were told to stay indoors on Tuesday as a fast-moving wildfire tore through the region, burning nearly 3,000 hectares (over 7,400 acres) of land. Several dozen people were also evacuated as a safety measure.

Spain is currently facing a high risk of wildfires following its hottest June on record. Just days earlier, two people died in a separate wildfire in Catalonia, the region where Tarragona is located.

The latest blaze started early Monday near the village of Pauls, in a remote mountainous area. Firefighters struggled to contain it due to strong winds and tough terrain. Over 300 firefighters, supported by an emergency military unit, were on the ground battling the flames.

Since midnight, winds reaching up to 90 kilometers per hour (56 mph) have made efforts even more difficult, Catalonia’s regional firefighting service said. However, the dangerous Mistral winds were expected to calm down later in the day.

Fire trucks rushed through the narrow, winding roads of the Pauls Mountains overnight, surrounded by blazing hillsides as crews worked to control the fire.

In nearby villages like Xerta and Aldover, residents spent the night in fear as the fire came dangerously close to their homes.

“There was a lot of fear and crying because the fire was right at our doorstep,” said 76-year-old Rosa Veleda. “The wind was so strong, we couldn’t leave the house. It was terrible—something we’ve never seen before.”

Authorities have so far managed to stop the fire from crossing the Ebro River, which would have made the situation even worse. About 30% of the burned area falls within the Ports Natural Park. Officials are currently investigating what caused the fire.

Highlights:

Over 18,000 residents told to stay indoors due to wildfire in Tarragona, Catalonia.
Fire has scorched nearly 3,000 hectares of land, fueled by strong Mistral winds.
Emergency military unit and 300+ firefighters deployed to battle the blaze.
Villages like Xerta and Aldover face severe threat; residents report fear and chaos.

Connect with us through social media