In response to the red alert for extreme temperatures in Bizkaia, the Galdakao City Council has decided this morning to suspend all planned events for today's San Juan festivities, including the traditional bonfires, stating that "current conditions do not offer the necessary guarantees for them to be celebrated normally".
The Council urges citizens "not to light bonfires on their own" and reminds them that public buildings such as the Torrezabal cultural center and the Máximo Moreno music school have been designated as climate shelters.
Furthermore, the governing team has closed the senior centers in Izarra, Aperribai, and Urtebieta for the next two days, "as they do not have air conditioning," while those in Iberluze and Bengoetxe will remain open because they are equipped with this facility. The layout of the Urreta swimming pools has also been reorganized, "allocating two lanes used for swimming to recreational use" in anticipation of increased occupancy during these days.
In Arrigorriaga, all San Juan activities have also been suspended due to "a real risk to the environment and people." The Council has also sealed the barbecue areas in Ollargan and Mendikosolo parks and prohibited "any activity involving the use of fire" to "minimize the risk of fire."
The City Council requests understanding from its residents regarding these measures and reminds them that climate shelters have been established. Other municipalities in the region have taken similar steps. In Orduña, municipal officials have decided to cancel all bonfires but not other events. In Orozko, both fireworks and bonfires have been suspended, while in Ugao-Miraballes, "only the pilgrimage and the hot chocolate will be held."
