Spain Faces Extreme Wildfire Risk Amid Heatwave

Spain is currently battling 14 major wildfires, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warning of "extreme risk" for new outbreaks as temperatures are expected to reach 40°C. The heatwave has already claimed seven lives and scorched over 1,500 square kilometers, an area comparable to the size of London.

In Galicia, several fires have merged, leading to the closure of highways and rail services. The Ourense province blaze has expanded into neighboring Zamora, with locals attempting to defend their homes using personal equipment like tractors.

Authorities have arrested individuals for causing fires, including through prohibited activities like burning copper cables or using machinery during bans. So far in 2025, wildfires have burned over 157,000 hectares—nearly double the annual average since 2006.

The heatwave has also affected other parts of southern Europe, with wildfires reported in Portugal, Greece, France, and the Balkans. Meteorologists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of such extremes to human-induced climate change.

Spain has become the fifth European nation to request assistance with fighting wildfires this summer. The European Union has received multiple assistance requests from Balkan countries, and its firefighting force has already been activated as often as it was during all of the last fire season.

The Spanish Civil Guard has arrested two men on suspicion of starting fires in Castille and León, bringing the number of arson arrests to 10 since the start of June. Causing a wildfire is a criminal offense in Spain, even if accidental.

The national weather agency AEMET forecasts the heatwave will continue until Monday, with temperatures of up to 44°C in some areas, as well as moderate winds.

Wildfires are a common occurrence across southern Europe in the summer, but their severity can often be exacerbated by heatwave conditions. Meteorologists say such extremes are becoming more frequent and intense due to human-induced climate change.

EU data shows that around 6,290 square kilometers of land has burnt across the bloc since the beginning of the year, with wildfires in Spain comprising about a quarter of the total.

Spain's Civil Guard said it had arrested two men on suspicion of starting fires in Castille and León—taking the number of arson arrests to 10 since the start of June. While weather conditions are currently favorable for wildfires, they can be sparked by barbecues, cigarette stubs, or discarded bottles. Causing a wildfire is a criminal offense in Spain, even if accidental.

Spain is the fifth European nation to request assistance with fighting wildfires. In Greece, 100 square kilometers of land have burned since Tuesday.