Torrefeta, Spain: A severe wildfire in Spain’s Catalonia region has tragically claimed two lives, even as emergency services report the blaze to be largely contained. The incident occurred as Europe grapples with an intense and widespread heatwave, contributing to critical fire conditions.
The fire, which broke out in a farming area in Torrefeta on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, destroyed several farms and scorched an area stretching for approximately 40 kilometers. Firefighters confirmed that the two deceased individuals were a farm owner and an employee, found near their vehicle in the village of Coscó after attempting to flee on foot. No other casualties have been reported.
Authorities had warned that the fire was “extremely violent and erratic” due to storms and strong winds, generating a massive smoke plume that complicated extinguishing efforts. The blaze exhibited extreme behavior, including flame propagation speeds of up to 28 km/h (17 mph) and a convection column reaching an estimated 14,000 to 19,000 meters (45,900 to 62,300 feet) in height, one of the tallest ever recorded in the region.
While the fire is now mostly contained, officials have warned that more thunderstorms and high temperatures are expected in the region on Wednesday afternoon, urging continued vigilance. Around 14,000 residents were asked to remain indoors for several hours on Tuesday night as a precautionary measure.
The wildfire in Catalonia is part of a broader atmospheric pattern affecting much of Europe, characterized by sustained high temperatures and low humidity, significantly increasing wildfire risk across the Mediterranean basin. Spain’s meteorological agency had earlier reported its hottest June on record, and heat alerts remain in effect across large parts of the Iberian Peninsula.
