Catalonia coast wildfire burns 22,000 hectares near Costa Brava

A large forest fire broke out on Friday morning near the tourist resort of Costa Brava in the north‑east of Spain, close to the community of La Bisbal d’Empordà and the town of Zirona. The blaze has turned roughly 22,000 hectares of forest and scrubland to ash, mainly within the protected natural park of Les Gavarres. No injuries or deaths have been reported.

Firefighters – between 200 and 400 personnel, supported by more than 10 ground units and 11 aircraft – have brought about 70 % of the fire’s right flank under control, but strong winds continue to drive the fire forward. Authorities have imposed travel bans in around ten to twelve coastal municipalities, ordered about 12,000 residents to stay indoors and sent alerts to roughly 40,000 people. The regional government, led by President Salvador Illa, has asked for army support and the deployment of the emergency‑response military unit. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been sparked by negligence during construction work.

The fire threatens a major summer tourism area and has prompted calls for the public to avoid travelling to the affected zones while containment efforts continue.