Firefighters in Girona maintained heightened vigilance as the La Bisbal d’Empordà wildfire, which had scorched around 2,200 hectares in the operational estimate, remained a threat amid forecasts of intense heat and unpredictable winds. Although the fire was stabilized late Saturday, emergency teams were not yet ready to declare it under control. They cited the risk of renewed outbreaks as temperatures rose and wind conditions shifted throughout the day.
Information from Mari Muñoz, subinspector of the Bombers de la Generalitat, 184 personnel and 40 vehicles were deployed to monitor and secure the 40-kilometer perimeter, along with two aerial resources. The vehicles included 25 water trucks and 15 command units. Crews focused on active hotspots, particularly in the interior of Les Gavarres, where difficult terrain and the risk of flare-ups complicated the work. Muñoz said the right flank, which stretches toward Girona, was especially challenging because of its irregular boundaries and the sea breeze, which could exceed 30 kilometers per hour and intensify the situation.
Overnight, a new ignition in the Mas Ambrós urbanization in Calonge was swiftly contained by ground teams. The incident showed how volatile the fire remained: even minor weather changes could quickly escalate the threat. The firefighting strategy relied on a rapid aerial response to visible smoke columns, aiming to prevent further spread before conditions worsened.
Damage assessments showed that eleven homes had been completely destroyed and another fourteen partially affected. The properties were in Cruïlles, Monells i Sant Sadurní de l’Heura and La Bisbal, as well as residential areas of Calonge and Santa Cristina d’Aro. Since the fire broke out on Friday, the Catalan emergency medical service (SEM) had treated 14 individuals for fire-related incidents.
Authorities remained cautious. The current wind, known locally as marinada, was not as forceful as the tramuntana that initially fueled the fire’s rapid expansion, but the ongoing heatwave could amplify its effects. Whether the fire could be declared under control depended on how conditions evolved throughout the day and whether crews could prevent new flare-ups.
This latest development followed a series of emergency measures in the region, including lockdowns and evacuations. A recent report detailed how the La Bisbal d’Empordà wildfire forced several towns to take urgent action: see the full story on the earlier emergency response.
A subsequent Catalan seasonal review reported that the La Bisbal d’Empordà fire, which burned on 3 July 2026, was the region’s largest wildfire of the year, with an estimated footprint of about 2,000 hectares. Reported by L’Indépendant, the review counted 450 fires between June and September and 4,833 hectares burned across Catalonia. Roughly 80% of the fires affected less than one hectare. It also recorded 36 days of extreme fire risk, compared with seven in 2025, amid repeated heatwaves. The seasonal estimate and the operational figure of around 2,200 hectares reflect different reported totals for the same major incident.
The Empordà’s fire history shows the danger posed by extreme heat, low humidity and strong winds over dry vegetation. The 1986 Albera fire began near Portbou on 19 July and spread under exceptional tramuntana conditions. The “rule of thirty” describes those extreme conditions: temperatures above 30°C, humidity below 30% and winds above 30 km/h. Four French firefighting aircraft crew members died in that blaze. Rapidly changing tramuntana and maritime winds remain a concern in the region because they can alter fire behavior across the field.
Wildfires are a recurring challenge in Catalonia, particularly during periods of extreme heat and drought. The region’s varied terrain and dense vegetation complicate firefighting efforts, making rapid response and coordination between ground and aerial units impressive. In recent years, authorities have increased investment in early detection systems and public awareness campaigns, but climate factors and human activity continue to pose impressive risks. The La Bisbal fire formed part of a broader season of unusually intense wildfire activity, reinforcing the need for vigilance and preparedness as Spain faces longer, more intense fire seasons.
