Five areas of Aragón remain on red alert this Thursday due to a very high risk of forest fires, according to the daily index prepared by the General Directorate of Forest Management of the regional government. The affected areas are Jiloca-Gallocanta, Muela de Valmadrid, Central Iberian Mountains, South Somontano and Turia.
The day will initially be marked by light and variable wind, which will increase to moderate from the south and southwest during the afternoon. In addition, very strong gusts are not ruled out at high altitudes of the Pyrenees and there is a possibility of storms in the northern third, which could also be accompanied by strong gusts of wind.
LIGHTING FIRES AND USING PYROTECHNICS ARE FORBIDDEN
The red alert implies a series of prohibitions and limitations to reduce the risk of fires. Among them is lighting fires in open spaces, temporarily suspending authorizations for burning and other cultural or recreational uses of fire.
It is also not allowed to make fires in recreational areas, road rest areas or camping areas, even if they are specifically enabled for this purpose. Similarly, it is forbidden to introduce or use pyrotechnic material in forest environments and to throw or abandon burning objects. Sports events and public events in forest areas are also suspended unless their authorisation expressly contemplates their holding at this alert level.
RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF MACHINERY
In the mountains and in a strip of 400 meters around them, it is forbidden to use equipment or machinery that can generate deflagrations, sparks or electric shocks. The regulations provide for some exceptions, such as certain agricultural work, beekeeping work or urgent actions aimed at restoring basic services.
In the case of harvesting and packing of cereals, if the work is carried out within 400 metres of a continuous forest area of more than 100 hectares, it must be carried out outside the range between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. In addition, the rapid availability of extinguishing means must be ensured, such as equipment with at least 1,000 litres of water or a tractor equipped with a suitable tillage implement.
