A fire declared this Monday afternoon in the municipal park of La Mitjana, in Lleida, has burned more than four hectares of riverside vegetation in an area near the Camí de Granyena. The Bombers de la Generalitat have deployed four ground crews and a helicopter, while the Guardia Urbana has cordoned off the perimeter and restricted access to the natural space until further notice.
The fire also presents an element under investigation because three distinct fire outbreaks in the same area have been detected in the park, a circumstance that has led the council to work with the hypothesis that it could be intentional.
The Bombers will maintain wetting operations throughout the afternoon and night
During the intervention, the extinguishing teams have acted on an area of more than four hectares of riverside vegetation. The mobilized operation includes four ground crews and a helicopter to contain the flames and prevent the fire from advancing through this natural environment of Lleida.
After declaring the emergency stabilized, the Bombers de la Generalitat will maintain wetting tasks throughout the afternoon and night. The objective is to prevent possible re-ignitions in a sensitive area due to the continuity of vegetation and the conditions that may remain on the ground after the fire.
Cristina Morón asked for those responsible for the fire to be identified
The Guardia Urbana maintains the perimeter of La Mitjana cordoned off and has restricted access to the park until further notice. The closure affects the natural space while both ground surveillance and the assessment of the damage caused by the fire continue.
Cristina Morón, deputy mayor and councilor for Security of the Lleida City Council, confirmed that the initial priority was to protect those who were inside the enclosure when the fire began.
"The safety of the people who were inside the park at the time of the fire has been guaranteed" - Cristina Morón, deputy mayor and councilor for Security, Lleida City Council
In addition to the emergency response, the city council has requested the maximum effort from the police forces to identify those responsible if the provoked origin of the fire is confirmed. The investigation focuses on the appearance of three distinct starting points in the vicinity of the Camí de Granyena.
The council will decide this Tuesday whether to allow the partial or total reopening of the municipal park of La Mitjana.