Extraordinary measures for the prevention of forest fires

The Regional Ministry for the Environment, Infrastructure and Territory, recalls that during the Holy Week and Easter come into force extraordinary measures for the prevention of forest fires, which prohibit the use of fire in forest land or with a proximity to these less than 500 meters.

These measures are adopted in accordance with the forestry regulations, approved by Decree 91/2023, for the period from Maundy Thursday to the Monday immediately following Easter Monday, traditionally known as St Vincent's Monday, i.e. from 17th to 28th April (both inclusive).

Extraordinary measures

The extraordinary measures establish that, on forest land and land adjacent to or within 500 metres of forest land, the burning of crop margins or agricultural or forest waste, the burning of reeds, reedbeds or scrubland linked to any type of livestock, hunting or any other type of exploitation, and the distillation of aromatic plants and wood or lime kilns are prohibited.

In addition, all authorisations to burn crop margins or plant residues generated in the agricultural environment granted for those dates will also be suspended in the local burning plans.

The Generalitat, through the Department of Emergencies and Interior and the Department of Environment, Infrastructures and Territory, has activated the extraordinary measures for the prevention and extinction of forest fires for Easter,  which will consist of 1.357 fire-fighting troops and will run from 17th to 28th April.

Likewise, during Holy Week and Easter, the preventive measures foreseen in the maximum risk level for forest fires (pre-emergency level 3) will be adopted. In addition, the Generalitat de Catalunya's aerial resources will fly reconnaissance flights to carry out preventive surveillance routes loaded with water and retardant. To this end, different routes have been established throughout the three provinces, especially in the areas with the greatest forest mass.