Скачать или смотреть SPAIN: Firefighting operations continue for second day in Tarragona wildfire

Authorities ordered the lockdown of several towns in Catalonia’s Tarragona province after a wind-fuelled wildfire broke out near the town of Paüls in the Baix Ebre region on Monday, July 7.

The local fire department ordered the confinement of all villages and towns between Paüls, Alfara de Carles, Els Reguers, Bítem, Santa Rosa, Tivenys and Xerta and closed sections of highways in the region due to safety concerns.

The fire broke out on Monday afternoon in a forest in the Infern ravine and spread quickly, as strong winds with gusts of up to 90 kph hampered firefighting efforts.

Teams on the ground would continue to tackle the blaze overnight, with firefighting aircraft resuming work in the morning.

At least two secondary outbreaks were reported as the blaze spread across an area of approximately 1,500 hectares, the Catalonia government said in a statement released on Tuesday.

The fire damaged a chicken farm and the gardens of two houses in Aldover, while in Xerta, a gas station was saved from the flames, the government said, adding that no injuries have been reported.