Another very active forest fire, on a very difficult day in Catalonia with two other fires in wooded areas, has forced the confinement of several of the houses of the residents of two urbanizations (Mas Mel and Bellamar) near the mountain of l’Escarnosa from Calafell (Baix Penedès). The fire has mobilized 46 ground crews from the Generalitat Fire Brigade who are trying to contain the advance of the flames.
The fire has burned some fences and gardens, “but has not caused damage inside the houses,” according to Firefighters. There are also no evacuated residents.
The main concern is the proximity to the two residential areas, Mas Mel and Bellamar, and the force of the wind, which will continue to blow in the area until almost midnight. The fire started a few minutes before six in the evening for causes that will have to be investigated. The mestral wind pushes the very active forest fire in a southeasterly direction. The force of the fire is visible from several kilometers around. Before dark, with huge columns of smoke. Now, at night, with the glow of the flames.
In a first estimate, very provisional, it has been calculated that the fire affects a perimeter of about 15 hectares. But the extension continues to grow. There is still no data on the number of confined houses or the families affected. The recommendation for the residents of the affected urbanizations is that they lock themselves up at home and lower the blinds, to prevent smoke from entering the homes.
The Fire Department of the Generalitat, given the severity of the fire, have activated the advanced command center (CCA) in the municipal sports center of Calafell (Joan Ortoll). Civil Protection has just activated the emergency plan in the event of forest fires in Catalonia in the alert phase.
