A wildfire that has ravaged Catalonia’s Les Gavarres massif since Friday has scorched at least 22,000 hectares of forest, destroyed homes in Calonge, and forced 45,000 residents to remain indoors as dense smoke blankets the region. Firefighters announced on Saturday that they had stabilised 70% of the blaze’s right flank, but authorities warned that the crisis was far from over as extreme heat and strong winds continued to threaten containment efforts.

The fire, which began near La Bisbal d’Empordà on Friday morning, has become one of Spain’s most destructive wildfires this year, with flames reaching the outskirts of Calonge’s urbanisations. Residents described a harrowing night as the fire advanced to within metres of their homes, forcing some to flee despite official confinement orders. Jordi Roig, a homeowner in the Mas Ambròs area, told *Catalunya Ràdio* that he and his family abandoned their property at 3:00 a.m. as flames engulfed their garden. “We didn’t see a way out,” he said. “If we had stayed, we would have been burned alive.” The fire destroyed Roig’s home, along with a neighbouring chalet, while other properties suffered damage from heat and embers.

Emergency services scrambled to protect lives and property, with 150 people spending the night in a municipal sports hall after evacuations. Firefighters, supported by helicopters, worked through the night to douse hotspots and prevent the fire from spreading further into populated areas. The Catalan government has closed access to the entire Les Gavarres massif, a popular hiking and tourist destination, as a precaution. Salvador Illa, the regional president, warned that the fire could consume the entire park in the worst-case scenario.

The crisis has been exacerbated by Spain’s ongoing heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in several regions. Météo-France reported that six French departments were under red alert for extreme fire danger, while Portugal and Italy also battled blazes amid similar conditions. In the Drôme region of France, 115 hectares of forest have burned, and 218 firefighters remain deployed to contain the spread. Meanwhile, in northern Spain, authorities arrested a man suspected of accidentally starting the Costa Brava fire with a cutting tool, according to local reports.

Residents in Calonge described the emotional toll of the disaster. Lídia Sánchez, who stayed in her home despite orders, told the *ACN* news agency that she and her neighbours had soaked their gardens to create firebreaks. “The fear is overwhelming,” she said. “You watch the flames grow, and you wonder if a spark will jump to your house.” The psychological strain was compounded by the acrid smoke, which forced many to seal windows and doors, trapping ash inside homes.

As firefighters continue to battle the blaze, authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant. The Catalan fire service confirmed that the left flank of the fire remains active, and the situation could deteriorate if winds shift. With no immediate end to the heatwave in sight, the coming days will be critical in determining whether the fire can be fully contained.

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Firefighters combat blazes in northern Spain, Portugal Hundreds of Spanish firefighters battled an expanding wildfire near the tourist hotspot of Costa Brava on Friday as Portugal sought outside help to combat forest fires in its north.

france24 · about 2 hours ago

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mastodon bot · about 2 hours ago

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observador · about 2 hours ago

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rfi.fr · about 2 hours ago

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nltimes.nl · about 2 hours ago

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observador · about 2 hours ago

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observador · about 2 hours ago

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euronews · about 2 hours ago

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euronews · about 2 hours ago

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observador · about 3 hours ago

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eldiario.es · about 3 hours ago

Dans lAude, 150 pompiers encore mobilisés pour éteindre un incendie désormais fixé Vendredi, le ministre de lintérieur, Laurent Nuñez, sest dit « très inquiet » que la saison des feux ait commencé en France avec « un mois davance ». Six départements sont en vigilance rouge de danger de feu très élevé, selon Météo-France.

le monde · about 3 hours ago

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tagesspiegel · about 3 hours ago

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swissinfo · about 3 hours ago

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la libre · about 3 hours ago

France records 2,025 excess deaths in one week due to heatwave France has recorded 2,025 excess deaths during the week of June 22-28, a 30 increase compared to previous weeks, Health Minister Stephanie Rist has announced. The extreme heatwave continues to strain the healthcare system, with temperatures expected to peak early next week.

yenisafak · about 3 hours ago

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elmundo · about 3 hours ago

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il fatto quotidiano · about 3 hours ago

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aktuality.sk · about 3 hours ago

Italian rice crops suffer in drought, worst European heatwave ever Summer came too early to Europes most important rice-growing region, and weeds are taking over Sharon Angolis parched paddies in Italys Pavia province. That one is done for, no matter what happens, the 22-year-old said as she surveyed one desolate field that has been baked by what is among the most severe heatwaves to hit the continent in June. Even abundant rains for the rest of the summer would probably not save the crop, she said. Angoli and her father, Carlo, also fear for their other...

south china morning post · about 3 hours ago

Heat dome over eastern US sends electricity prices soaring More than 800,000 households left without power after storms and temperatures near 40C straining utility grids

financial times · about 3 hours ago

Costa Brava wildfire destroys 2,200 hectares in northeastern Spain A wildfire that broke out yesterday morning near the Costa Brava tourist resort in northeastern Spain has been brought under partial control today after burning 2,200 hectares of land along the Catalonian coast. Firefighters confirmed that no injuries have been reported. The Catalonian fire service announced in a press release this morning that crews brought […]

in-cyprus · about 3 hours ago

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observador · about 3 hours ago

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liberation · about 3 hours ago

Costa Brava: Trennschleifer hat womöglich großen Waldbrand ausgelöst In der spanischen Touristenregion Costa Brava wütet ein Waldbrand, den Feuerwehrleute bisher nur teilweise unter Kontrolle bringen konnten. Die Hilfe des Militärs wurde angefordert. Auch Portugal ist alarmiert.

faz · about 3 hours ago

Incendiu devastator în Catalonia. 45.000 de oameni au fost sfătuiți să rămână în case din cauza fumului Aproximativ 45.000 de rezidenţi din mai multe localităţi din nord-estul Spaniei au fost sfătuiţi să rămână în casele lor din cauza fumului dens provocat de un incendiu de vegetaţie care a cuprins acea regiune, informează sâmbătă DPA.

digi24 · about 3 hours ago

🌡️🔥 Extreme heat is killing more people every year around the globe. This GIJN guide suggests multiple angles for investigating extreme heat as a global phenomenon, with real examples from newsrooms worldwide. A must-read for climate journalists.

bluesky_GIJN · about 3 hours ago

Greece at High Risk as Europes Heatwaves Intensify Greece is positioned in a high-risk zone for extreme temperatures, and the severe heatwaves sweeping across parts of Europe are highly likely to strike the country with equal intensity. This warning comes from Athanasios Argyriou, a Greek physics professor at the University of Patras and its Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, who recently outlined the escalating […]

greek reporter · about 3 hours ago

Truck catches fire in Strovolos causing heavy smoke over Nicosia A truck was engulfed in flames in Nicosia on Saturday afternoon. According to an update from the spokesperson of the Fire Service, Andreas Kettis, the vehicle caught fire in the area of Strovolos. Dark smoke covered the sky of the capital, causing concern in the surrounding area. Two fire engines rushed to the scene and […]

in-cyprus · about 3 hours ago

O futebol é mais prioritário que os fogos? A deslocação do Governo ao Canadá para apoiar a seleção durante uma vaga de calor e incêndios em Portugal mostra uma colagem excessiva ao desporto em prejuízo da gestão política.

observador · about 3 hours ago