Catalonia to double firefighter deployment for Sant Joan amid high fire risk

Heightened wildfire risk

After a weekend of fires in Lleida and recent rains creating more fuel, the Catalan government is taking extra precautions for the traditional Sant Joan bonfire and firework celebrations. Interior Minister Núria Parlon stated that "toda prevención es poca" (all prevention is little). The department will activate the PROCICAT plan in pre-alert to monitor incidents. Many municipalities will also trigger their own local emergency plans in alert or pre-alert phases.

Emergency services reinforcement

Firefighters will operate at 50% above normal staffing from 7pm on June 23 until 9pm on June 24. Additional units include GRAF forest support and EPAF active prevention teams, plus more than 200 Agents Rurals for surveillance. The CAT112 emergency call centers in Reus and Barcelona will also increase staff, as last year's celebration saw 1,356 calls between 8pm on the 23rd and 8am on the 24th.

“Toda prevención es poca.”

Traffic and mobility plan

The Servei Català de Trànsit (SCT) launches its operation the weekend before, anticipating 610,000 vehicles leaving the Barcelona area and 290,000 returning. Additional lanes will open on the AP-7 and C-32 highways, and heavy vehicle restrictions will apply, especially on June 24. Parlon noted that the Wednesday date may lead many to take a bridge holiday, altering usual flows.

Public safety campaign

Under the slogan "No petis la revetlla", Protection Civil is advising against buying fireworks from unauthorized vendors, launching them within 500 meters of forests, and lighting bonfires without municipal approval. The campaign also addresses the needs of people with sensory hypersensitivity and pet owners, promoting an inclusive celebration. Recommendations extend to practical steps such as removing laundry from balconies and closing doors and windows near parties. Parlon emphasized that even obvious precautions prevent injuries treated by the medical emergency service (SEM) each year.