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Smoke from Catalonia wildfire sparks panic in Orihuela Costa and Mar Menor
Residents woke to smoke-filled homes and a sky thick with smog
Widespread alarm reverberated across Orihuela Costa and the Mar Menor area of Murcia on Tuesday morning, July 8, when the sky filled with thick smoke and an acrid smell of burning. Shortly after 7.30am, social media lit up with panicked residents trying to find out where the fire was.Within 30 minutes, Torrevieja Emergencias had issued a statement urging locals and tourists to remain calm; the smoke wasn’t coming from a local fire but was being carried south on the strong winds from wildfires that have broken out in the region of Baix Ebre in Tarragona, Catalonia.
The wildfire originally began on Monday morning near the southern Catalan town of Paüls but driving winds quickly worsened the situation. As of early Tuesday, the blaze has torn through 1,600 hectares of land and the fire has now split off in two new directions.
One of the flanks advanced toward a residential area in the town of Alfara de Carles, from where 50 residents have been evacuated.
The other flank moved toward the C-12 highway, forcing its partial closure.The wildfire is still far from being stabilised, despite the presence of around 90 ground units with 280 firefighters working around the clock. The Emergency Military Unit (UME) has also been called in to help.
There are currently nearly 90 ground units, with a total of 280 firefighters actively working on the terrain.
While the Catalan fires pose no immediate risk to people in Orihuela Costa, the authorities have issued some recommendations:- Keep doors and windows closed while the smell of smoke is detected.
- If you are a vulnerable person (respiratory concerns, elderly or children), limit outdoor activity.
- Follow the official information at @112CV and @BomberosDipualc.
Images: Alicante Today/Torrevieja Emergencias
