Wildfires Rage Across Southern Europe as Heatwave Intensifies
Southern Europe is battling a wave of wildfires as a historic heatwave grips the continent, with Spain, Portugal, and France deploying thousands of firefighters to contain blazes that have already scorched tens of thousands of hectares. The most severe fires are concentrated in Catalonia, where a blaze near the Costa Brava has burned 22,000 hectares, while another in Girona has forced the evacuation of 45,000 residents and destroyed homes.
In Catalonia, the fire near La Bisbal d’Empordà, which began Friday morning, has now scorched 2,200 hectares and reached urban areas in Calonge, where at least two homes and a rural farmhouse were destroyed. Authorities confirmed that the blaze was sparked by a construction worker using an angle grinder—a tool banned during high-risk fire conditions—despite red-alert warnings. The worker has been detained, and the Catalan government has launched an investigation into his employer, a subcontractor for road maintenance. "We will get to the bottom of this, and if there were negligence, it will be addressed," said Salvador Illa, president of the Catalan government, who visited the emergency command center in La Bisbal on Saturday.
Firefighters, supported by military aircraft dropping water, have stabilized 70% of the fire’s right flank, but concerns remain over shifting winds expected to push flames toward the interior of Les Gavarres, a 30,000-hectare natural park. "The situation is under control for now, but the next few hours will be critical," said David Borrell, chief of Catalonia’s fire service. Over 400 firefighters, 360 vehicles, and a dozen aircraft are deployed, with 12,000 people still confined to their homes across seven municipalities.
The crisis extends beyond Spain. In Portugal, nine people were injured in wildfires, while in France’s Aude region, 150 firefighters continue battling a blaze that has been contained but not yet extinguished. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warned that the fire season had begun a month early, with six departments on red alert for extreme fire danger. "This is a worrying start to the summer," he said.
The fires coincide with a severe heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 44°C in parts of Spain and Portugal by Sunday. The European Forest Fire Information System reports that nearly 50,000 hectares have already burned in Spain this year, with June marking the most destructive month on record. In Viseu, Portugal, a separate blaze has consumed 12,000 hectares, injuring two civilians who attempted to assist in firefighting efforts.
Authorities across the region have urged the public to avoid travel near affected areas to prevent road congestion and ensure emergency access. In Catalonia, Illa announced the closure of Les Gavarres Natural Park as a precautionary measure, while Spain’s national weather service issued red alerts for extreme heat across 13 districts.
The fires have also disrupted tourism along the Costa Brava, where beach closures and flight restrictions have been implemented. Aerial firefighting operations have been particularly challenging, with water-dropping planes forced to land in the sea near Calonge beach due to the intensity of the flames.
As Europe braces for a prolonged heatwave, firefighters remain on high alert, with the risk of new blazes escalating as drought conditions persist. The European Union’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service has warned that the combination of extreme heat and dry vegetation creates "ideal conditions for catastrophic wildfires."
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