Les Gavarres wildfire stabilised at 2,200 hectares; residents return to charred homes as heatwave persists
The wildfire that broke out Friday in Les Gavarres, Catalonia, has been stabilised after burning 2,200 hectares and damaging at least 25 buildings. Residents evacuated from urbanisations like Vall Repòs are returning, though firefighters warn the second summer heatwave could still reignite hot spots.
Fire status and containment
The fire started Friday afternoon in La Bisbal d'Empordà and quickly spread through the Les Gavarres massif, fanned by a rare summer tramontana wind. By Saturday night, firefighters had stabilised the perimeter, which extends 40 kilometres. On Sunday, Bombers chief Eduard Martínez said the fire would not yet be declared controlled, with two delicate points remaining: the northeast flank near the C-66 road and the right flank toward Girona and Llagostera. Around 400 firefighters, 100 aerial units, and a hundred soldiers from the Military Emergency Unit (UME) are still working to cool hot spots.
We are not at yesterday's risk level, but we still have many hours of guard duty ahead.
- Fire starts in La Bisbal d'Empordà, spreads rapidly due to tramontana wind.
- Fire stabilised by Saturday night; evacuations and confinements in place.
- Residents return; inspections begin; fire not yet controlled.
- Control may be declared on Monday if weather permits.
Damage and inspections
The fire has burned 2,200 hectares, about 8% of the protected natural area. At least 25 buildings have been affected, with 11 suffering major or total damage, including eight homes completely destroyed. The GREC collapsed structures unit is inspecting houses, classifying them as green (safe), yellow (needs technical review), or red (collapse risk). Most damage is to gardens and exteriors, with main structures often intact.
In general, homes are a safe place during a forest fire confinement because they rarely burn.
Residents return
Evacuation orders for urbanisations like Vall Repòs in Santa Cristina d'Aro were lifted Sunday, allowing around 150 residents to return after 48 hours. Many described a mix of relief and sadness at the charred landscape. Anna Expósito, confined in her Calonge home as flames approached, said it was an experience she never wants to repeat. Some residents had only minutes to flee; Mike and Rise Leggemaet were given two minutes by police to leave.
It's an experience we never want to live through again.
I arrived with a mix of joy and sadness.
Cause and legal action
The fire was sparked by a worker using an angle grinder on road maintenance, in an area under the highest fire-risk alert (Plan Alfa level 3). He was arrested Friday and released Sunday under judicial supervision, investigated for forest fire. The contracting joint venture, Aquaterra and Rubau, is under scrutiny.
Weather and ongoing risks
A second summer heatwave began Sunday, with temperatures forecast to reach 42°C in some areas. The marinada wind is strengthening in the afternoon, threatening the northeast flank. Authorities have extended extreme fire risk restrictions for Monday and urged extreme caution. The fire could be declared controlled on Monday if conditions allow.
