Again forest fires in Spain due to scorching heat, this time ravaging Catalonia | Abroad

The worst fire is in Artesa de Segre, in the province of Lérida. The fire has already destroyed a total of 940 hectares of forest, local authorities report. In addition, no less than 20,000 hectares of nature reserve are under threat. Several residents were evacuated as a precaution. So far there have been no reports of deaths or injuries.

On Thursday afternoon, two more fires took place in Catalonia, namely in Solsonés, in the province of Lérida, and in Tierra Alta, in the province of Tarragone. In both cases, more than 300 hectares of forest were scorched. “We are entering the most difficult hours,” said Joan Ignasi Elena García, minister of the interior of the Catalan government.

Small forest fires also took place in northern Navarra, east of the Basque Country.

Since last week, the combination of extreme heat, strong winds and some thunderstorms has fueled wildfires all over Spain, the meteorological institute AEMET reports. The country is currently experiencing the earliest heat wave since 1981. In most parts of Spain, the mercury rises above 40 degrees. That border was crossed in the south of the country, among others, in Granada (40.6ºC) and Andújar (40.4ºC). It is also exceptionally warm at night, with temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees.

The increase in heat waves, especially in Europe, is a direct consequence of global warming, according to scientists. For example, the emission of greenhouse gases increases the intensity, duration and frequency of such weather phenomena.