BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – A devastating wildfire in Spain has resulted in the tragic deaths of two individuals as it rapidly spread through the rural province of Lleida. Authorities reported that the wildfire coincided with a European heat wave, causing temperatures to soar once again on Wednesday.
The fire originated in Lleida and was marked by a massive plume of ash and smoke that reached an altitude of 14,000 meters (45,000 feet), according to firefighters. This wildfire has been classified as the largest recorded incident by firefighting teams in the Catalonia region, located in northeastern Spain.
Firefighters indicated that at its peak, the blaze spread at an alarming rate of 28 kilometers per hour (17 miles per hour), categorizing it as one of the fastest wildfires recorded in Europe. In a statement released on social media just after midnight, Catalan regional president Salvador Illa confirmed the fatalities, which occurred late Tuesday. The two victims, identified as a farmer and his worker, were discovered near a vehicle close to the small village of Cosco, situated in the county of La Segarra. It appears they were overwhelmed by the flames while attempting to escape from the farm.
Additionally, two firefighters sustained injuries during the firefighting efforts and required treatment at a local hospital. The blaze has consumed approximately 6,500 hectares (16,000 acres) before being brought under control with the assistance of a rainstorm, which helped firefighters establish a containment perimeter. In a precautionary measure, authorities sent notifications to residents via mobile messages, advising 14,000 individuals to stay indoors. This order was later lifted on Tuesday night.
The wildfire primarily destroyed farmland, including the incineration of at least three historic farmhouses along with several other agricultural buildings. By early Wednesday, the fire was declared under control.
In light of the ongoing situation, President Illa remarked, “Wildfires today are not like they were before. These are extremely dangerous. From the very first moment, it was considered to be beyond the capacity of extinction. I mean that not even with two or three times the number of firefighters, they have told me, it would have been possible to put out.”
As Spain continues to grapple with the intense heat wave affecting various parts of Europe, record high temperatures for June have already been established in Spain and Portugal. On the same day, temperatures in the Lleida region were forecasted to reach a high of 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit).
Illa noted, “It will be a difficult day due to the high temperatures, and until we get past the hottest part of the afternoon, we will have to remain vigilant.” Meanwhile, Italy's health ministry has also projected that 18 out of the country's 27 major cities will experience similar heat wave conditions on Wednesday.
