Now 20 years ago, during a heatwave, dry vegetation due to lack of rain, and a tramontana wind that lasted for two weeks, nearly 2,000 hectares burned in the Empordà in a series of nine fires between August 3 and 7. Most were caused by human activity, as are 90% of the fires recorded in Catalonia. The largest of that 2006 episode, the one that started in Ventalló and burned about a thousand hectares across several municipalities between Alt and Baix Empordà, according to data from the Agents Rurals, was intentional. There were no personal injuries, but there was material damage, and it sparked a debate about improving forest management, restoring the mosaic landscape, and protecting residential areas. These proposals are repeated every time there is a major fire, like the one in early July that burned about 2,200 hectares in the Gavarres massif and has so far become the most significant this summer in Catalonia.

A few days ago, technicians from the Barcelona City Council dismantled once again, table by table and chair by chair, what has been known for several years as the largest illegal terrace in the city. This is another consequence of the tourist overcrowding that affects this side of Barcelona.

The Valencian government has sent this afternoon an ES-Alert to the residents of Catí, located inland in Castellón with more than 700 inhabitants, asking them to evacuate the town via the CV-128 or N-232 roads towards Xert. Its residents had been confined since yesterday due to the smoke from the Tírig fire, and this afternoon the next instructions were to be decided at the 5 p.m. Cecopi meeting, and finally Emergencies issued the alert.