As reported by the Catalonia fire department (@bomberscat) on the social network X, the Guimerà (Lleida) forest fire has reactivated, complicating its stabilization this Thursday afternoon, which has forced authorities to decree the preventive confinement of more than 21,000 people in five municipalities in the Urgell region and nearby areas.
A l'#IFGuimerà l'incendi ha anat creixent i hem demanat el confinament de Verdú, Tàrrega, Vilagrassa, Granyanella i el poligon Rimbau. Treballem per protegir una granja al flanc dret i estem repartits en una àrea de treball de 383ha. Tenim activades 48🚒, 7🚁 i 5✈️#bomberscat https://t.co/pyFg66pXxv pic.twitter.com/xC152DYGxH
— Bombers (@bomberscat) July 9, 2026
The evolution of the fire has led Protecció Civil to reactivate protection measures for the population after the fire showed more aggressive behavior, favored by high temperatures, low humidity, and wind gusts, factors that hinder extinction efforts.
Which municipalities are confined?
The restrictions affect several municipalities around the fire with the aim of avoiding unnecessary travel and facilitating the work of emergency teams. Authorities have asked residents to remain in their homes, close doors and windows, and only follow information disseminated through official channels. The confinement is preventive and may be modified depending on the evolution of the fire in the coming hours.
The wind has become the main enemy of the extinction teams, favoring the spread of flames and hindering aerial discharges. Authorities insist that the population not leave their homes, unless expressly indicated by emergency services.
Why has a fire that seemed stabilized reactivated?
@Bomberscat reminds that a forest fire does not stop being dangerous when it stabilizes. Stabilization only means that the perimeter stops growing uncontrollably, but inside the fire, embers, burning logs, and hot spots can remain for hours or even days. If the wind or temperatures increase, these embers can generate new outbreaks that escape the initially secured perimeter, exactly what has happened in Guimerà.
For this reason, emergency devices maintain permanent surveillance even when a fire stops showing extreme behavior. The reactivation of the fire represents a new setback for the emergency services after the situation had improved in the last few hours.
The Bombers de la Generalitat maintain a large ground and air operation to prevent the flames from exceeding the established containment lines. The main objective is to prevent the fire from reaching new forest masses and to protect both the population and the agricultural exploitations in the area.
Meteorological conditions continue to be the main risk factor. Extreme heat and wind can favor the appearance of secondary outbreaks and cause abrupt changes in the fire's behavior.
Catalonia maintains a very high risk of fires
The reactivation of the Guimerà fire occurs in a particularly complicated week for Catalonia, where several forest fires have forced the mobilization of significant emergency resources.
Extinction services insist that, although some fires had been stabilized, stabilization does not mean the fire is extinguished. As long as there are hot spots within the perimeter, a change in meteorological conditions can cause new outbreaks, as has happened in Guimerà.
Given this scenario, Civil Protection maintains the recommendation to avoid travel in the affected areas, exercise extreme caution in forest areas, and follow the instructions of the emergency services at all times.