What is the name and location of the wildfire?

As of July 2, 2025, a deadly wildfire is burning in the Catalonia region of Spain. It sparked in a farming area near Torrefeta, which is in the northeastern part of the country (1). The intense fire has burned approximately 40 kilometers of land and has rapidly spread due to strong winds and storms in the region. Two people have died in the fire and two firefighters were hospitalized for injuries.

The fire is burning as a sweltering heat wave is affecting much of Europe. Barcelona, Spain recently endured its hottest June on record.

Which cities or areas are affected by the Catalon wildfire?

The wildfire is mostly affecting Torrefeta and surrounding farming communities in the Catalonia region. Air quality in Barcelona and Lleida is poor due to a combination of high temperatures and wildfire smoke.

What is the current containment status of the Catalon wildfire?

As of July 2, the Catalonia wildfire is largely contained (2).

Firefighters have made significant progress in stabilizing the situation, although they remain cautious due to forecasts of further wind and thunderstorms that could complicate containment efforts. The fire service noted that the fire was extremely violent and erratic, but the rainstorm on Tuesday helped in speeding up the stabilization process.

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

Authorities issued orders for around 14,000 residents to stay indoors for several hours on Tuesday night as a precautionary measure (3). The directive to remain indoors indicates a significant alert level. Residents and visitors in the affected areas were urged to exercise caution and follow all instructions and recommendations from emergency services.

How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?

Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.

• Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
• Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
• Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
• Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
• Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.