Raging wildfire at Spain’s Portbou challenges firefighters, disrupts tourism and rail traffic

The Mediterranean coast of Spain, near the French border, faces an intensifying wildfire situation. The wildfire near Portbou has led to the evacuation of over 130 people. The situation escalated as firefighters reported the fire spreading south of Portbou on Saturday, according to AFP.

The wildfire has, so far, destroyed around 435 hectares of land in the region, with an estimated 2,500 hectares at risk. Firefighters from Catalonia, Spain’s northeastern region, are collaborating with French colleagues to control the spreading wildfire.

Wildfire Challenges Firefighting Operations

Strong winds have contributed to the wildfire’s rapid spread. These wind conditions have also hindered the takeoff of water-bombing planes that could assist in firefighting operations in the hilly terrain. Santi Lleonart, a senior firefighter, mentioned in a Catalan government statement that the mountainous terrain poses significant challenges in extinguishing the blaze.

The Catalan fire service, however, expects aerial operations to resume by Saturday afternoon. Portbou, a key railway station for both France and Spain, is located near the France-Spain border.

Wildfire Near Spain’s Portbou Border Prompts Evacuation of Over 130 People. Photo courtesy of Saiho from Pixabay.

Power and Traffic Disruptions Due to Wildfire

Around 4,000 people are without electricity due to the wildfire, as per reports from Catalan civil protection officials. They have also stopped rail traffic between the towns of Portbou and Figueres, located approximately 30 kilometres south. The main road to Portbou and the French border is also currently closed.

Nearly 80 firefighting units from Catalonia have been deployed to battle the wildfire, with an additional dozen fire engines sent from France. The Catalan regional government’s website stated on Saturday that the blaze is still active, with their primary goal being to prevent it from reaching the nearby tourist resort of Llanca.

Evacuation and Tourism Impact

The Catalan fire service evacuated about 135 locals as a precaution, with hundreds more confined to their homes or campsites overnight. This incident comes at a time when Portbou typically attracts a significant influx of tourists.

The cause of the wildfire is under investigation, as stated by the Catalan forest rangers on their social media platform, X. Compared to 2022 when over 300,000 hectares were devastated, Spain is experiencing a less destructive summer of wildfires this year, according to data from the European Forest Fire Information System.