Lorraine Williamson
Around 14,000 people have been ordered to remain indoors after a forest fire broke out in Barcelona’s Collserola hills on Tuesday afternoon, sending a large plume of smoke across the north of the city.
Thirty-five residents living closest to the flames in Torre Baró were also evacuated as a precaution. By late evening, however, firefighters said the blaze remained active but was in the process of being stabilised, after burning an estimated 35 hectares.
The fire began at around 3.20 pm on Tuesday in the Collserola area, close to densely populated neighbourhoods on Barcelona’s northern edge.
Smoke from the blaze led authorities to order the preventive confinement of Torre Baró and Ciutat Meridiana, affecting an estimated 14,000 residents.
People were instructed to remain indoors, close doors and windows and switch off ventilation systems where necessary. Emergency alerts were sent to mobile phones in the affected area, while people elsewhere were urged to stay away to avoid obstructing emergency services.
As conditions developed, the authorities went further in the homes closest to the fire.
Homes evacuated in Torre Baró
Thirty-five residents were evacuated from properties in Carrer de Castellví and Carrer de Lliçà, in Torre Baró.
The evacuation involved the first line of homes closest to the advancing fire and was carried out as a preventive measure while firefighters worked to contain the flames.
Catalonia’s Civil Protection authorities activated the INFOCAT forest-fire plan at alert level, while Barcelona firefighters and other emergency resources were deployed across the affected area.
More than 1,000 calls relating to the fire were made to the 112 emergency service during the afternoon.
The location presented a particular challenge because Collserola’s woodland runs immediately alongside heavily populated parts of Barcelona. The natural park forms an extensive green area between the city and municipalities across the metropolitan region.
Public transport disrupted
The emergency also affected public transport as authorities attempted to keep people away from the fire zone and maintain clear access for emergency vehicles.
Rodalies services stopped calling at Torre Baró station, while Metro services were affected at Torre Baró-Vallbona and Ciutat Meridiana. Several bus stops and local roads were also temporarily affected by the emergency response.
The restrictions added to disruption for residents already being told not to leave their homes.
Despite the dramatic smoke plume and proximity of the flames to residential areas, there had been no reports of serious injuries in the latest information available on Tuesday evening.
Firefighters begin to gain control
By late evening, the picture had started to improve.
Firefighters said the fire had affected approximately 35 hectares and was still active, but had entered a stabilisation phase. Crews were completing work to establish the perimeter and prevent further spread.
That distinction is important. A fire moving towards stabilisation is not yet considered extinguished or necessarily fully controlled, and emergency restrictions can remain in place while crews deal with hotspots and secure the perimeter.
The late-evening progress nevertheless represents a considerable improvement from earlier on Tuesday, when thousands of residents were confined and people living in the properties closest to the flames were ordered to leave.
Emergency services are expected to continue working into the night. The next significant step will be confirmation that the fire has been formally stabilised and whether authorities can lift the confinement affecting Torre Baró and Ciutat Meridiana.