Spain wildfire: 45,000 residents told to stay home near Costa Brava

Firefighters are struggling to contain a spreading wildfire in northeastern Spain's Catalonia region, near the popular Costa Brava tourist destination. Authorities have ordered approximately 45,000 residents in multiple towns to remain indoors, keeping windows and doors shut.

The blaze ignited near the municipality of La Bisbal d'Empordà, about 20 kilometers inland from the coast. So far, the fire has consumed roughly 1,300 hectares of bush and forest land in the hinterland of the Costa Brava.

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Residents of ten municipalities were asked not to leave their homes.

No injuries have been reported. Police have detained a man suspected of starting the fire. He was reportedly working with a grinder on a roadside, an activity that has been prohibited due to the current dry heat and the risk of sparks igniting the dry vegetation. The flames have spread into the Massís de les Gavarres mountain range. The Catalan regional government has requested assistance from the UME, Spain's military emergency unit.

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Windows and doors should remain closed.