Wildfires Rage in Spain and Portugal, Thousands Evacuated

Wildfires sweeping through Spain and Portugal have led to significant evacuations and the mobilization of thousands of emergency personnel. As a heatwave continues to grip the Iberian Peninsula, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited affected areas, including Ourense and León, to assess the situation and meet with emergency teams. Accompanied by Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Sánchez emphasized the urgency of the crisis, stating that “the next hours and days are critical.”

During a press conference, Sánchez announced that the government would provide additional resources to combat the fires, including the deployment of 500 military personnel. He noted that the ongoing fire-fighting operations might represent “probably the largest European civil protection mobilisation in history.” Additionally, he revealed plans for a state pact aimed at adapting Spain to the challenges posed by climate change.

Sánchez’s visit included discussions with Galician regional president Alfonso Rueda and the government delegate in Castille and León, Nicanor Sen. He is expected to continue his tour of affected regions in the coming days.

Escalating Fires and Evacuations

High temperatures have sparked numerous wildfires in Spain, with particular concern in regions such as Galicia, León, and Cáceres. Reports indicate that up to thirteen active wildfires are currently burning in Galicia alone. The blazes have consumed over 115,000 hectares of land, with more than 50,000 hectares affected in Galicia, primarily in Ourense, which has experienced the most severe impact.

According to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, over 13,600 members of the State Security Forces have been deployed to assist in firefighting efforts. In Salamanca, approximately 575 residents from several towns were evacuated due to the advancing flames. Meteorologists predict that temperatures in Spain could exceed 44 degrees Celsius in some areas until Monday, exacerbating the wildfire situation.

In neighboring Portugal, more than 3,200 firefighters battled nine major fires, primarily in the towns of Arganil and Sátão. Portugal has faced multiple wildfires since July, particularly in its northern and central regions. This ongoing crisis has led to a state of alert due to the extreme heat. The wildfires have claimed at least one life and resulted in several injuries.

Official data indicates that approximately 139,000 hectares of land have burned in Portugal this year alone, a staggering figure that is 17 times greater than the same period in 2023. Nearly half of this destruction occurred within just two days. In response to the crisis, the Portuguese government requested assistance from the EU’s civil protection mechanism, which provides firefighting support to member states in need. Two Fire Boss aircraft are expected to arrive on Monday to bolster the firefighting efforts.

As both countries grapple with these devastating wildfires, the focus remains on protecting communities and mitigating the environmental impact of this ongoing crisis.