It seems that a part of the Burga valley is on fire again this year. It seems to be a very big fire, I could see a large part of the mountain between Rasquera and El Perello was glowing red and the is a massive smoke cloud today.

There was a smaller fire in the Ginestar area at the weekend too and today there is yet another in the Tivissa area.  We can see the smoke from our house near El Perelló.  Seems it was started by a lightening strike in a wooded area.

The fire in the Burga valley is big and seemed to be spreading mid morning today.
Lots of bombers were heading out there, also some agents rurals and water planes.
Hope they manage to get it under control, and everyone is safe and there are no casualties.

The smoke rising from the fire near El Perello is huge now at least 10 times bigger than last night when the most of the mountain was red with flame. It seem to have spread across the mountain. There is a non-stop flow of helicopters and water tankers dropping on the fire. There is at least one other serious fire in the area nearer to Tivissa. People say that one of the wind turbines on the mountain west of El Perello caught fire and the fire spread.

This is terrible now.
People having to leave their homes.
The wind this afternoon, won't be helping.
Every year there seems to be fires in the Burga Valley?

The fire is at the back of our house and land over the mountain (tivissa) it has burnt 100 ha and is out of control still. They have evacuated all our neighbours and the road is shut up to our house (cami de gavada). 

The wind has picked up and turned to the west now, a huge yellowly black cloud of smoke has reached as far as Miravet now. There is strong smell of burning. The blue sky is totally blotted out by a sinister yellow black colour for 10s of miles in every direction.

According to 'el Pais' newpaper the fire has now affected 400 hectares of inaccessible land.

http://ccaa.elpais.com/ccaa/2014/06/16/catalunya/1402909323_636859.html

Still the locals, are burning rubbish in their gardens and on their land. They just do not see any danger.
This morning another neighbour and my husband have had to ask someone to stop burning, at the side of our fence.
IF they had a license in the first place they would know the rules, and know that it states no fires from June 15th.

All seems to be clear today. However at least six fire trucks and vans blue lights flashing have just roared up the C12 towards Rasquera.

Still see some smoke from where we are. The roads are still closed and this morning when I took the children to school they refused to let me back up to my house even tho we have not been evacuated!!

I think that deluge we had today sorted the fire.

I think it's hats off to the various services who tackled this fire.Remember last year 4 lost their lives. I don't know but I think maybe the reason for the annual big fire in that area is the wind emulates from there and thus whisks up the flames. I would jail those found burning after the 15th June and those who burnt whilst these people risk their lives to put the fires out are a disgrace. Those pilots/Ground crew also must be exhausted. You can now go back into the sea for a snorkel without the risk of a quick lift up to the valley.  ;)

Thanks to the forum members for their reports on the ground so to speak. I hope their property's are safe and in one piece.