Catalonia wildfires: La Bisbal controlled after burning 2,200 ha, Sentmenat still active amid heatwave
Firefighters have brought the La Bisbal d'Empordà blaze under control after four days, but the Sentmenat fire remains active as a heatwave fuels multiple simultaneous wildfires across Catalonia.
Catalonia is battling a wave of simultaneous wildfires under a severe heatwave, with the La Bisbal d'Empordà fire finally controlled on Monday evening after burning approximately 2,200 hectares since Friday. The Sentmenat fire, which started on Monday, remains active and has already affected 152 hectares, while the Anoia fire was stabilized and confinements lifted for 33,000 residents.
La Bisbal fire controlled after four days
Firefighters declared the La Bisbal d'Empordà fire controlled at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, after it had burned around 2,200 hectares in the Gavarres massif. Sixteen crews will remain overnight to monitor hot spots. The fire perimeter extends 40 kilometres, and about twenty houses in Santa Cristina d'Aro and Calonge were affected. Roads GI-660 and GIV-6612 remain closed.
The simultaneity is what we must avoid.
Sentmenat fire still active, confinements in place
In Sentmenat (Barcelona), the fire that started Monday has burned 152 hectares, 98% of it forest, and is being fought by 88 ground crews and five aerial units. Confinements remain in effect for the El Farell urbanization and the Sant Sebastià de Montmajor nucleus. The fire was caused by an excavator in a difficult-to-access area. Fire chief David Borrell warned that the right flank could open and create a situation similar to the 2003 Sant Llorenç Savall fire.
That is the scenario we want to avoid.
Ten firefighters have been treated for heat stroke during their shifts. Interior councillor Núria Parlon asked residents to respect the confinement and remain calm.
We ask for calm and to respect the confinement.
Other fires and the broader picture
The Anoia fire (Carme) was stabilized on Tuesday morning after burning between 400 and 500 hectares and forcing the confinement of 33,000 people, now lifted. The Artesa de Segre fire (Lleida) was controlled after 32 hectares. Agricultural fires in Torrefeta i Florejacs and Savallà del Comtat were also stabilized or controlled. On Monday alone, 65 fires were recorded across Catalonia.
- La Bisbal d'Empordà
- 2200 ha
- Anoia (Carme)
- 400 ha
- Sentmenat
- 152 ha
- Artesa de Segre
- 32 ha
Heatwave and violent weather warnings
The fires are unfolding during the second heatwave of the summer, with record temperatures in some municipalities. The Catalan weather service (Meteocat) issued a red alert for "violent weather" in the Berguedà region, warning of hail larger than 2 cm, wind gusts over 25 m/s, and possible tornadoes or downbursts.
Emergency response and outlook
The Military Emergency Unit (UME) deployed over 100 soldiers from its Zaragoza base, arriving in the early hours of Tuesday to assist firefighters, rural agents, and police. UME captain Fernando Saenz said they are "one more element" joining the operation. The regional government expects the "climate complexity situation" to last until Thursday or Friday.
We are one more element, we join the device.
- La Bisbal d'Empordà fire starts.
- La Bisbal fire stabilized.
- Sentmenat and Anoia fires start; confinements ordered.
- Anoia confinements lifted, fire stabilized.
- La Bisbal fire declared controlled.
Authorities are prioritizing the protection of people and preventing any new fire from growing large, to avoid operational collapse. The medical emergency system has attended 13 people across the Anoia and Sentmenat fires, most with minor injuries.
