Spain is facing another dangerous weekend of wildfires as extreme heat, dry vegetation and shifting winds put emergency services under severe pressure across several regions. The most serious blaze is in Catalonia, where a fire in Girona province has destroyed thousands of hectares and left homes badly damaged.
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
Spain is once again on high alert as a combination of soaring temperatures, parched countryside and strong winds fuels a series of wildfires across the country. Firefighters have been battling active or recently contained blazes in Catalonia, Aragón, the Valencian Community and Andalusia, while authorities warn that the coming days could bring even more difficult conditions.
The Spanish Civil Protection authorities had already warned of very high and persistent temperatures from Sunday, 5 July, with the south-west of the Iberian Peninsula, the Ebro Valley, the north-east and parts of the Pyrenees among the areas of greatest concern. The peak of the heatwave is expected on Monday, 6 July. Officials have urged the public to avoid any behaviour that could trigger a fire, including discarding cigarette ends, leaving glass bottles in the countryside or using machinery in dry rural areas.
Girona: major wildfire stabilised, but far from extinguished
The most serious situation remains in Girona province, where a wildfire near La Bisbal d’Empordà, in the Les Gavarres natural area, has been stabilised but not yet extinguished. The fire has burned around 2,300 hectares and, according to Spanish media reports, has destroyed eight homes. Other buildings, vehicles and parts of an industrial site have also been damaged.
Emergency teams are warning that the situation remains highly complex. High temperatures, wind and an irregular fire perimeter mean that new flare-ups remain possible. Firefighters are particularly concerned about smouldering hotspots and unburnt pockets of vegetation inside the affected area, which could reignite as temperatures rise.
Access to the Les Gavarres massif remains closed. Leisure activities, sports, motorcycle routes and walks are currently banned in the area. The restriction affects around 20 municipalities between Gironès and Baix Empordà and is expected to remain in force at least until Friday. The highest level of the Pla Alfa fire risk plan has also been activated in the area.
The suspected cause of the blaze has already sparked debate in Spain. Early investigations suggest that a worker may have been using an angle grinder or similar cutting tool in a high-risk area. He has reportedly been arrested as authorities investigate possible gross negligence.
Huesca: evacuations near Loporzano as UME is called in
The situation is also worrying in Aragón, where a fire in Loporzano, in the province of Huesca, has evolved unfavourably after breaking out on Saturday near Chibluco. Regional authorities activated a higher emergency level, requested support from Spain’s Military Emergency Unit, the UME, and ordered the precautionary evacuation of around 30 residents from San Julián de Banzo and Chibluco.
Initial reports suggested that the blaze had already burned around 75 hectares. Its proximity to the Sierra y Cañones de Guara Natural Park has raised particular concern. Firefighters worked through the night to control the head of the fire and prevent it from spreading further.
Weather conditions are making the operation more difficult. Aragón has been facing high temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds, with regional civil protection services warning of temperatures of up to 37C and south-south-westerly winds with gusts exceeding 30 kilometres per hour.
Castellón: four people rescued and 70 evacuated
In the Valencian Community, another wildfire broke out between Peñíscola and Benicarló. Four people had to be rescued from two homes, while around 70 others were evacuated as a precaution. The fire was later stabilised after a major response involving both aerial and ground units.
Castellón province has seen several fire incidents within a short period of time. Local media reported seven firefighting operations in 24 hours, including vegetation fires, a lorry fire on the AP-7 motorway and another blaze in the Culla area.
Seville: fire in Villanueva del Río y Minas brought under control
In Andalusia, firefighters managed to bring a wildfire in Villanueva del Río y Minas, in Seville province, under control. The fire broke out on Saturday afternoon in the La Chimenea area. According to regional sources and Spain’s Infoca wildfire service, the blaze was brought under control late on Saturday night. The response involved several helicopters, two firefighting aircraft, more than 50 emergency personnel, fire engines and a medical unit. Crews continued working overnight on cooling and extinguishing remaining hotspots.
Although the situation in Seville has eased, the wider risk across Andalusia remains significant. High temperatures, dry vegetation and human negligence can still turn even a small spark into a dangerous wildfire.
A warning sign for the summer ahead
The current fires are a stark reminder of how vulnerable Spain has become during the summer months. Drought, heat, wind and poorly managed woodland can transform a single spark into a regional emergency within minutes.
Particularly vulnerable are so-called interface zones, where homes, holiday developments, roads and forested areas meet. These are precisely the areas where many residents, second-home owners and tourists may underestimate the speed and danger of a wildfire.
For residents, holidaymakers and foreign property owners in Spain, the message from the authorities is clear: official warnings must be taken seriously. Anyone seeing smoke should immediately call the emergency number 112. In restricted natural areas, walks, cycling, motorbike routes and leisure activities should be avoided altogether. Barbecues, cigarette ends, glass bottles and metal-cutting tools can all have catastrophic consequences in extreme heat.
