Spain, on red alert for fear of fires due to negligence during eclipse viewing
Las comunidades cierran sus parques naturales y suspenden actividades y festivales ya autorizados debido a las predicciones de riesgo extremo de fuegos
The devastating fires that have ravaged thousands of hectares in Ávila and Madrid have tarnished the festive scenario that was expected for viewing the eclipse: municipalities and communities are holding their breath as the risk of fires on Wednesday multiplies, when millions of people will go up to the mountains, gather in the mountain ranges or open their sandwiches in viewpoints to witness the total solar eclipse.
Because most of Spain will be at a very high or extreme risk of fires, according to the index of the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), and rural areas will be the ideal place from where, at around 20:30, the astronomical event will be observed.
The behaviour of the public will be decisive for safety kilometres around. The communities that will attract the most visitors have prohibited access to protected areas and forest tracks, and even several have dictated extraordinary measures to try to avoid tragedies.
Translated by urgent.news. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
