Barcelona will see an increased police presence and over 600 alcohol and drug checks for the Sant Joan celebration on 23 June, according to Núria Parlon, Catalonia's Minister for Interior and Public Security. Firefighters will also receive a 50% reinforcement compared to ordinary shifts due to a high risk of fire.
The department is running a public awareness campaign, 'No petis la revetlla' (Don't break the celebration), to provide safety advice. This includes not buying fireworks from unauthorised vendors, avoiding launching them within 500 metres of forests, and only lighting bonfires in areas approved by local councils.
Fire stations across Catalonia will have extra staff from 7pm on 23 June until 9pm on 24 June. Firefighters are preparing for an environment with "more fuel" following recent rainfall, Parlon said. She asked for public cooperation to prevent forest fires caused by fireworks and bonfires, noting several fires in Lleida province over a recent weekend.
Increased Emergency Services
The fire service will also strengthen its operations with more personnel from the Forest Action Support Group (Graf) and Forest Active Prevention Teams (Epaf). Over 200 rural agents will be deployed across the territory.
Last year, 1,356 calls were made to the 112 emergency service between 8pm on 23 June and 8am on 24 June. As a result, the number of call handlers at the CAT112 centres in Reus, Tarragona, and Barcelona will be increased.
Traffic Management Plans
The Catalan Traffic Service (SCT) has also prepared its own plan, starting the weekend before Sant Joan. They expect around 610,000 vehicles to leave the Barcelona area and 290,000 to return. Parlon suggested that Sant Joan falling on a Wednesday might affect mobility, though some people may still take a long weekend.
Traffic management measures will include additional lanes on the AP-7 and C-32 motorways, along with restrictions on heavy vehicle circulation, particularly on 24 June.
