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.
Wildfire Risk
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 minimize the risks linked to large gatherings in natural areas.
Authorities estimate around 1.5 million people could be on the roads during the day, traveling to rural northwestern and central Spain that is along the total eclipse’s path. National and local authorities have launched public awareness campaigns, warning against parking in unauthorized areas, littering, using barbecues or venturing into fire-prone countryside.
Climate Change
The full solar eclipse offers an example of how climate change will reshape the management of major public events. 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 and a “high” or “very high” wildfire risk.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
