A vegetation fire in Derio (Bizkaia) near Bilbao airport was completely extinguished overnight into Tuesday, 15 September 2026. Firefighters reported that fire-fighting operations had ended at around 5.30am; a fire watch remained on site to check for hotspots. According to the airport operator, flight operations at Bilbao airport in Loiu were not affected at any point, according to Aena .
The fire broke out on Monday in a vegetated area in the district of San Isidro , at Monte Aiartza, close to the runways. The Bomberos de Bizkaia dispatched several units and prevented the fire from spreading to built-up areas. Weather conditions without strong winds helped contain it. No injuries were reported, nor was there any damage to residential buildings or critical infrastructure.
Authorities in the Basque Autonomous Community initially gave no figures for the area burned. Police investigations into the possible cause were under way in the morning; no official findings were available. Until the relevant forestry or security authorities issue a damage assessment, statements about the cause and the area affected remain provisional.
The incident comes amid a period of heightened wildfire risk in northern Spain. Regional alert levels and preventive warnings from the authorities had already been in place in recent weeks, particularly in peri-urban areas where dry vegetation and proximity to infrastructure can increase the risk of a fire spreading quickly. Experts point in such circumstances to the importance of maintaining buffer strips and firebreaks, as well as rapid initial response — both factors which, according to initial assessments, helped stabilise the situation quickly in Derio.
Aena confirmed in the morning that there had been no cancellations or diversions at Bilbao airport because of the fire. Operations continued as scheduled while firefighters worked in the surrounding area. Bomberos de Bizkaia crews continued monitoring the site on Tuesday morning to rule out a flare-up.
The situation remained stable during the morning. Local media documented events overnight and the all-clear issued in the early hours. Specific figures for the area affected and a final assessment by the emergency services are expected later in the day.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).