A wildfire broke out near Bilbao airport late Monday. Fire crews from three stations are working to contain the flames. The lack of wind is slowing the spread, but the situation remains tense.
Fire crews rushed to the edge of Bilbao airport on Monday evening after a wildfire started in a sensitive area of Bizkaia. The fire's location, close to major transport infrastructure, prompted a fast response from local stations as authorities worked to keep the flames from spreading further.
Despite the fire's proximity, airport operations continued as normal. Sources at La Paloma said scheduled flights landed without interruption, even as smoke and emergency vehicles became visible nearby.
By 24 August 2026, more than 700 firefighters, over 200 vehicles, and 38 aircraft had been deployed across the EU under the civil protection mechanism to combat wildfires.
Firefighters from Derio and Basauri arrived first, with backup from Artaza. They focused on containing the blaze in an area thick with pampas grass, which burns easily. A forest brigade from the regional montes service joined them, working to secure the perimeter.
Officials have not yet confirmed the full extent of the fire. The lack of wind has helped slow its progress, giving emergency teams a brief window to act and lowering the risk of the flames reaching homes or transport links.
While airport operations have not been affected so far, the incident shows how quickly infrastructure in northern Spain can be threatened by wildfires. Unmanaged vegetation, especially pampas grass, can ignite easily under the right conditions. The response here echoes recent challenges in Catalonia, where families are still recovering from similar disasters, such as the arson attack in Pont de Vilomara.
Recent reports confirm that in the same period, wildfires were also active in southern Spain, such as in Benahavis, where evacuations were necessary. In the Basque Country, a forest fire in Idiazabal earlier in September led to the evacuation of animals and highlighted the region's susceptibility to such incidents.
Bizkaia's fire services responded quickly, but with little data on the fire's size, the long-term impact is still unclear. The situation highlights the need for early detection and fast action, especially near major infrastructure. As weather patterns become less predictable, the region faces ongoing risks from wildfires on the outskirts of its cities.
