Extreme heat and wildfires scorch Southern Europe as Catalonia seals off Les Gavarres park

Extreme heat and wildfires rage across Southern Europe as Catalonia declares Les Gavarres a no-go zone

The wildfire tearing through Catalonia’s Les Gavarres natural park has forced authorities to seal off the entire 30,000-hectare forest as Spain braces for a new heatwave, with temperatures expected to soar above 40°C from Sunday. The blaze, which began on Friday morning near La Bisbal d’Empordà, has already consumed 2,200 hectares, destroyed at least two homes, and left 12,000 people confined to their homes across seven municipalities, including Calonge i Sant Antoni and Platja d’Aro.

Salvador Illa, Catalonia’s president, announced the closure of Les Gavarres on Saturday, warning that the fire could engulf the entire park in the “worst-case scenario.” Firefighters, supported by 400 personnel and aerial units, have stabilized 70% of the blaze’s most critical flank but remain on high alert as strong north winds threaten to fan the flames toward coastal towns. “We’re making progress, but there’s still work ahead,” said David Borrell, head of Catalonia’s fire service. The blaze has already reached urban areas, scorching gardens, fences, and windows in Calonge’s Cabanyes neighborhood, where eight homes were damaged and two—including a rural farmhouse—were completely destroyed.

The fire’s origin has been traced to a construction worker using an angle grinder near a road in La Bisbal, despite a total fire ban. The man, employed by a subcontractor working on a road maintenance contract for the Catalan government, was detained by Mossos d’Esquadra. The Generalitat has opened an investigation into his employer, demanding full documentation of the incident to determine whether safety protocols were violated. “We will pursue this to the end if there were negligence,” Illa stated.

The crisis extends beyond Catalonia. In Portugal, where temperatures reached 44°C on Saturday, wildfires have injured nine people and forced evacuations in Setúbal and Vouzela, where 1,100 firefighters continue battling a two-day blaze. The government has activated the EU’s civil protection mechanism, requesting reinforcements from Spain and Morocco. Across the border in France, six departments remain on red alert for wildfire risk, with 900 firefighters still deployed in the Pyrénées-Orientales after a blaze destroyed three campsites and 281 bungalows.

The simultaneous outbreaks reflect a precocious fire season, with experts warning that Europe’s wildfire season is now a month ahead of schedule. “This is not normal,” said a spokesperson for France’s Interior Ministry. “The early intensity of these fires is deeply concerning.” The European Commission has linked the surge in wildfires to prolonged drought and extreme heat, conditions exacerbated by climate change.

In Catalonia, authorities have pleaded with residents to remain indoors, citing dense smoke that has blanketed coastal towns. Jordi Soler, mayor of Calonge i Sant Antoni, described a “dantesque” scene as flames approached homes. “People haven’t slept all night,” he said. “We’re asking for calm, but the situation remains volatile.” The Generalitat has also restricted road access to prevent traffic jams from hindering emergency operations.

As Europe grapples with the dual threats of wildfires and record-breaking heat, the Catalan government has urged vigilance. “This is just the beginning of a difficult summer,” Illa warned. With temperatures set to climb further, the coming days will test the region’s resilience against a crisis that shows no signs of abating.