Emma and Simon Mitchell returned to their home in Bédar, Spain, relieved to find it undamaged after a devastating wildfire swept through the area on Thursday, July 9th, 2026. The fire, which has since been contained, burned approximately 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of land in Almeria province.

Authorities reported that at least 13 people died in the wildfire, including five believed to be Britons. The death toll rose on Sunday, July 12th, after a 93-year-old woman, also believed to be British, succumbed to her injuries in hospital. The identities of those killed have not yet been officially confirmed.

The Mitchells, who moved to Bédar three years ago and care for 15 chickens and three dogs, said they never received clear instructions on how to evacuate during the fire. Emma Mitchell expressed anger toward local officials who suggested some victims, including Britons, had not followed evacuation instructions. She stated, "You need to get your act sorted and please don't try and victim-blame afterwards."

Emma also highlighted the lack of timely alerts, saying, "Next time it would be good to get an alert on our phones. We get an alert for earthquakes that are 50 miles away but we don't get an alert for a fire that is a quarter of a kilometre away." Reflecting on the close call, she added, "When I look over there and I see how close we were to disaster like some of those people, that is terrifying."

The wildfire is considered one of the deadliest in Spain's history, underscoring concerns about emergency preparedness and communication in the region.

Sources