Scorching weather fuels widespread blazes
Southern Europe is battling intense wildfires as record-breaking heat persists. In Spain, 25% of monitoring stations reported 40C, with Cádiz reaching 45.8C, the weather agency Aemet confirmed. Officials warned of “very high or extreme” fire threats across most regions, despite signs that the heatwave may soon weaken.
Deaths and evacuations mount
Spain has already seen 348,000 hectares destroyed by fire this year, surpassing the previous record set in 2022. In Portugal, 216,000 hectares have burned. Four people in Spain, including a firefighter in a truck accident, have died, alongside two fatalities in Portugal. Authorities stated that more than 31,000 residents were forced to leave their homes.
Sánchez urges climate action beyond politics
During visits to fire-hit Ourense and León, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for a “state pact” to confront the climate crisis. He demanded cooperation based on science rather than ideology to shield citizens from worsening impacts. The opposition conservative People’s party dismissed the plan, accusing him of avoiding responsibility during the emergency.
EU support requested as damage grows
Wildfires across Europe have burned at least 530,000 hectares this year, over twice the average of the past two decades. Multiple nations, including Spain and Bulgaria, have asked for EU firefighting reinforcements. Portugal sought assistance through the EU civil protection mechanism to deploy four Canadair water-bombing planes. Severe drought continues to heighten fire risks.
Emergency forces under strain
Spain’s defence minister, Margarita Robles, said the blazes cannot be contained until the heatwave ends. She highlighted that the Military Emergencies Unit, established 20 years ago, has never faced such challenging circumstances. According to Robles, the current fires show characteristics that reflect the intensifying effects of climate change.
