Spanish firefighters reported on Saturday that a wildfire threatening the Costa Brava coastline has consumed a vast area of forest and scrubland, prompting the evacuation of 150 tourists from a nearby camp. The blaze ignited on Friday outside the northeastern municipality of La Bisbal d'Emporda, located close to a scenic coastline typically bustling with holidaymakers during this season.
Firefighters Gain Partial Control
According to the regional fire service, the fire has reduced approximately 2,200 hectares (8.5 square miles) of forest to ash. However, crews have managed to bring more than two-thirds of the blaze under control. Hundreds of firefighters worked through the night and “have stabilized around 70 percent of the right flank of the fire,” the service stated. The next goal is to consolidate these gains before anticipated wind changes around midday.
Evacuations and Safety
No injuries have been reported. Catalonia’s regional emergency services confirmed that around 150 people were evacuated, including about 70 children, from a holiday camp. The evacuation was carried out as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of visitors in the area.
Climate Context
Spain is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which scientists say increases the intensity, frequency, and duration of extreme heat events that fuel wildfires. In the previous year, deadly wildfires consumed nearly 400,000 hectares of land across the country, setting a record for Spain according to the European Forest Fire Information System. The current incident underscores the ongoing threat posed by wildfires in the region, especially during the peak tourist season.
