A fast-moving wildfire that broke out in La Bisbal d’Empordà, Girona, on Friday reached residential areas in Calonge, burning one house and damaging the gardens and fences of a dozen others in the Cabanyes urbanization. The fire threatened the protected natural area of Les Gavarres and prompted confinement orders in seven municipalities, affecting around 10,000 residents.
Firefighters, supported by the Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME), deployed 400 personnel to the scene. Overnight, shifting winds, first Tramuntana and then Marinada, pushed the flames closer to populated areas and complicated firefighting efforts. The latest operational figures put the affected area at 2,400 hectares, with the potential to expand to as much as 30,000 hectares if the fire was not contained.
David Borrell, head of the firefighting operation, reported early Saturday that 70% of the fire’s right flank had been stabilized, while critical work remained near Puig d’Arques. The priority was to secure the perimeter before southerly winds expected later in the day risked driving the fire farther. In Calonge, about 120 people spent the night in a sports hall after evacuations. Authorities urged residents to remain indoors and avoid self-evacuating because of safety concerns.
The fire’s impact extended beyond Calonge, with confinement orders in La Bisbal, Calonge i Sant Antoni, Castell d’Aro, Platja d’Aro i s’Agaró, Forallac, Llagostera, and Santa Cristina d’Aro. Emergency services also confined 150 children at the El Pou del Glaç camp. Some were evacuated, while others were due to leave as conditions allowed.
Police detained a worker suspected of starting the fire while using a metal-cutting saw on a road in La Bisbal. The tool is prohibited under the current level 3 fire-prevention plan because of the risk of sparks. Extreme heat and wind made it harder to prevent fires and contain them once they start.
Local authorities and emergency teams focused on protecting densely populated and forested areas. The risk of further escalation remained high, especially with a second heatwave forecast for the region. For background on the emergency measures and the scale of the threat, see this detailed report on the lockdowns and firefighting response in the area: how the Les Gavarres wildfire forced lockdowns across seven Catalan towns.
The fire was Catalonia’s largest individual wildfire of the 2026 season, information from a season-end assessment published by L’Indépendant. The assessment put the La Bisbal d’Empordà fire at roughly 2,000 hectares, while the operational estimate during the emergency was 2,400 hectares. Across Catalonia, 450 fires burned 4,833 hectares between June and September. The season included 36 days of extreme fire risk, compared with seven in 2025, amid prolonged heatwave conditions.
Later, in October, Ràdio Capital de l’Empordà reported green shoots appearing in the Les Gavarres forest and trees that had survived the fire. One observation described “a quantity of green shoots and trees that aren’t growing back, they never died.” The signs of regrowth offered a glimpse of recovery, though the field’s longer-term ecological response remained an open question.
Wildfires are a recurring threat in Catalonia, particularly during summer, when high temperatures and dry conditions prevail. The Les Gavarres area, known for its dense forests and proximity to Costa Brava tourist destinations, is especially vulnerable. The extreme-risk days recorded during the 2026 season show the difficult conditions facing fire crews. Residents should follow official instructions and stay alert for updates from local authorities.
