Andorra Keeps Wildfire Risk at Very High Level 2 in Central and Southern Parishes
Central and southern Andorra parishes face ongoing very high wildfire risk at level 2 due to dry conditions after a 36°C heatwave, prompting closures of barbecue sites and fire bans. Northern areas remain at high level 1, with cooler air offering some relief but no rain in sight.
Key Points
- Protecció Civil maintains level 2 (very high) risk below 2,000m in Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, Encamp; level 1 in north.
- Barbecue areas closed in Encamp (Grau Roig, Cortals), Escaldes-Engordany (Font de la Closa, Camí de les Fonts), Andorra la Vella since June 23.
- Picnic areas open but limited to cold foods; nationwide ban on open fires and accelerants.
- Cooler weather aids but dry vegetation persists; human causes common amid regional fires.
Protecció Civil d'Andorra maintains wildfire risk at level 2—very high—for central and southern parishes below 2,000 metres, including Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, and Encamp, while northern areas stay at level 1, or high risk. Orange alerts continue in the centre and south, with yellow in the north, amid ongoing dry conditions following a midweek heatwave that saw temperatures reach 36°C.
Several barbecue areas remain closed due to the elevated fire danger. Encamp has shuttered the Grau Roig site alongside its earlier closure of Cortals facilities, in line with Protecció Civil guidance. Escaldes-Engordany keeps Font de la Closa and Camí de les Fonts off-limits until further notice, while Andorra la Vella has barred its barbecue zones since 23 June.
Picnic areas across these parishes stay open but restrict visitors to pre-prepared cold foods only. A countrywide prohibition on open fires, including pyrotechnics, persists, with northern sites enforcing the same rules against accelerants like alcohol or petrol.
Cooler weather arrived Thursday, potentially easing alerts, though parched vegetation keeps forests vulnerable absent rainfall. Protecció Civil notes that human actions cause most blazes and recommends vigilance near woodlands, plus regular reviews of the online risk map.
Neighbouring wildfires in Spain and France, coupled with minor Andorran incidents extinguished without damage this summer, have heightened public awareness. Street interviews reveal widespread calls for forest maintenance, undergrowth clearance, and greater caution during heat spells. Some residents express concern over reduced pastoral activity, which they say leaves more dry fuel in abandoned natural areas. Despite this, many view Andorra as relatively safe from major fires.
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La prevenció guanya pes davant la por al foc
- Diari d'Andorra•
El comú tanca la zona de barbacoes de Grau Roig
- Altaveu•
Les altes temperatures obliguen a tancar temporalment diverses barbacoes comunals per risc d'incendi
- Altaveu•
L'augment de les temperatures activa l'alerta per perill molt alt d'incendi al centre i sud del país