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Bonfires, heatwaves and safety drones: how Spain is celebrating Noche de San Juan tonight
Security measures are being stepped up across the country as a heatwave makes this one of the most closely watched San Juan nights in years
Tonight, Tuesday June 23, millions of people across Spain will head to the beach to do something wonderfully simple: gather around a fire, watch the flames, and welcome summer in the most traditional way possible.La Noche de San Juan is one of the country's most cherished festivals, a night when ancient pagan ritual and Christian tradition blend into something uniquely Spanish. Bonfires blaze on beaches from Galicia to the Costa del Sol, people write their wishes on paper and throw them into the flames, and the night air fills with the smell of woodsmoke and the sound of laughter. It is, in short, magical.
This year, though, the celebrations come with an important caveat. A heatwave gripping much of the country has prompted regional governments and local Ayuntamientos to put serious precautions in place, including surveillance drones, cordoned-off areas and outright bans on fires in some locations.
According to Spain's State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), tonight's temperatures are expected to be tropical across many areas, above 20 degrees, and potentially torrid, topping 25 degrees, in some parts. As Patxi Berreteaga, inspector of the Bizkaia Fire Service, put it plainly: "Heat and bonfires are two ingredients that don't go together very well."
Valencia and Alicante
Valencia's Ayuntamiento has pulled out all the stops, deploying more than 300 police officers and surveillance drones across its beaches. Firefighters are stationed along the La Malvarrosa promenade, with particular attention paid to the southern beaches, where bonfires are banned outright to protect the Albufera Natural Park and the Devesa de El Saler forest.
In Alicante, Torrevieja is going ahead with bonfires on four beaches, La Mata, Playa del Cura, Los Locos and Los Náufragos, but under a significant security operation [Torrevieja San Juan article], with Policía Local officers and Guardia Civil agents deployed along the coastline.
Murcia
In Murcia, Los Alcázares is marking the night with live music and a free community event at the Plaza del Espejo, before a ceremonial bonfire is lit at midnight [Los Alcázares San Juan article]. In Cartagena, the local fire service has issued detailed safety guidelines for anyone planning a bonfire tonight, and is asking people to report planned fires in advance by calling 968 128 880. The rules are clear: bonfires must be kept at least 500 metres from forested areas, at least 15 metres from buildings, vehicles or trees, and must never be lit using flammable liquids. Parks in Cartagena will be closed from 7.00pm this evening as a precaution.
Andalucía
Things vary quite a bit across Andalucía. In Málaga, open fires on the sand are banned, though five designated areas have been set up for the burning of the 'júa', a traditional effigy made by local residents. This year's figure is titled 'From a Stormy Winter to a Warm Summer', a symbolic farewell to the relentless rain and storms that battered the province over winter and spring. Marbella is an exception, with the Ayuntamiento permitting bonfires by private individuals in specific coastal areas. In Cádiz, El Puerto de Santa María, Chiclana de la Frontera and Chipiona, fires on the beach are prohibited, while Barbate is going ahead with Ayuntamiento-organised bonfires.
The rest of Spain
Up in Bizkaia, the red alert for high temperatures has forced a dramatic rethink. Bilbao has cut its authorised bonfires from 14 down to just five, all subject to strict safety conditions, while towns including Santurtzi, Getxo, Gernika and Barakaldo have cancelled theirs entirely.
Ignacio García Urkizu, head of operations for the Bilbao fire department, had a simple message for anyone tempted to cut corners tonight: "Please, do not use flammable liquids to light the bonfires."
In Galicia, where San Juan in A Coruña holds international tourist status, a team of a thousand people has been deployed. A pilot scheme has allocated designated plots in Riazor to local associations, who have committed to cleaning the area afterwards.
In the Canary Islands, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is celebrating San Juan without bonfires, as they are prohibited, though the city marks the night as a commemoration of its founding.
Ceuta is keeping things simple with a single central bonfire, and this year the fireworks display has been replaced by a drone show.
A few golden rules for tonight
Whether you are heading to a big organised event or a quieter gathering on the sand, the advice from emergency services across the board is consistent. Keep a safe distance from any fire, at least five times its height. Stay upwind of the smoke. Never jump over flames, never throw fireworks or aerosols into a bonfire, and keep a close eye on children at all times. Make sure any fire is fully extinguished with water or earth before you leave. And if things do get out of hand, do not try to deal with it yourself. Call 112 straight away.
It is going to be a warm, vivid and memorable night. Just enjoy it safely.
Images: luis Peralta, Maria Fernanda Perez and Eden Kefale/Pexels
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