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Spain prepares for eclipse under shadow of wildfire risk

Reuters (wire, pre-event) · back to the audit
Spain is rolling out a massive police operation and public safety campaign ahead of a rare total solar eclipse on August 12 that will coincide with one of the country's highest-risk periods for wildfires. The full solar eclipse, visible in totality only from Spain and Iceland early on Wednesday evening. Regional governments along the eclipse path across Spain are seeking to corral an expected influx of 6 million people by designating 660 official viewing sites, along with parking and camping areas. More than 35,000 officers will be deployed in a security operation to minimise the risks - such as fires caused by dropped cigarettes linked to large gatherings in natural areas. 'We've had an extremely tough summer in Spain, with yet another series of major forest fires,' said Virginia Barcones, secretary-general for Civil Protection and Emergencies at Spain's Interior Ministry. 'That's why we must restrict any kind of activity that could generate a spark.' Several Spanish regions are under alerts issued by weather agency Aemet for the day of the eclipse due to temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and a 'high' or 'very high' wildfire risk. Authorities estimate around 1.5 million people could be on the roads during the day, travelling to rural northwestern and central Spain that is along the total eclipse's path. 'We are in a high wildfire-risk area. Barbecues and the use of machinery are prohibited because the countryside is extremely dry. The more people there are, the greater the danger,' said Ana Hernandez, the group's leader. Fire risks do not however appear to be deterring astro-tourists. Travel platform Booking.com reported foreign searches more than tripled in inland cities such as Burgos and Soria, while Amadeus travel data showed bookings to the northern region of Asturias were up 292% from a year earlier. Around 70% of Spain's rental motorhomes, camper vans and caravans, around 500,000 vehicles, have already been booked for the eclipse period, industry association ASEICAR said.