The fire in the lake of Ivars and Vila-sana, in the Pla d’Urgell (Lleida) has burned about 5.5 hectares, mainly of reeds between the ‘Estanyet’ area and the northern shore in the direction of Cal Sinén.
The technical director of the pond, Rafel Rocaspana, explained that they anticipate that some species of birds have been affected, since the reedbed is very important for them to make nests and lay eggs.
Now the nesting season began, he lamented, just as he also highlighted that some tin turtles could have been trapped by the flames.
The Rural Agents are investigating the causes of the fire, everything indicates that it was intentional, since it started when it was dark and in a place where there is a lot of accumulated hair.
The fire was very spectacular and could be seen from many towns near the pond. Images immediately began to spread on social networks. Around eleven at night the Bombers, who worked with 12 crews, already considered it stabilized.
Xavier Pinyol, firefighter at the Mollerussa park, explained that the Ponent wind favored the spread of the flames but “fortunately” they did not reach the northern side, which is where there are many birds in danger of extinction.
According to Rafel Rocaspana, the species of birds that could have been affected by the fire are the marsh harrier or the green-necked duck, which were already beginning to nest in the area.
Some pond turtles that frequented the surroundings of the pond could also have been trapped, which is a small lake that is located a few meters from the Ivars and Vila sana pond as such.
According to Rocaspana, visitors to the pond will barely notice that there has been a fire since in a few days the green will sprout again.
