Madrid: Spain has dispatched an additional 500 soldiers to combat devastating wildfires raging across several regions, bringing the total number of military personnel involved to 1,900.
The EU’s European Forest Fire Information System reported that blazes have already scorched 158,000 hectares in Spain this year, an area comparable to metropolitan London, with three fatalities recorded in the past week.
At least 20 major wildfires are currently active, including several in the northwestern region of Galicia. Some fires there have merged into a larger inferno, forcing authorities to close roads and rail lines.
📢 @DGTes informa de 15 de carreteras secundarias cortadas por #IncendiosForestales🔥
📍#León
⚫️N-621, LE-2703 Portilla de la Reina
⚫️CL-626, Puente Almuhey
⚫️LE-2711, Retuerto
⚫️LE-164, Yebra
⚫️LE-5228, Salas de los Barrios📍#Zamora
⚫️ZA-102, ZA-103 Villanueva de la Sierra… pic.twitter.com/5X4m15qSKM— Guardia Civil (@guardiacivil) August 18, 2025
The situation has also impacted cultural tourism, as part of the renowned Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route was shut on August 18. The closure affects the stretch between Astorga and Ponferrada, roughly 50 kilometers (30 miles) apart, with officials warning hikers not to endanger their lives.
Defence Minister Margarita Robles remarked that Spain is facing “a fire situation we haven’t experienced in 20 years.” To strengthen firefighting efforts, two water-bombing aircraft from the Netherlands will join planes already deployed by France and Italy. Additional international reinforcements are also expected soon, according to Civil Protection Agency head Virginia Barcones, who spoke to the media.
Southern Europe is in the midst of one of its most severe wildfire seasons in two decades, with Spain among the worst-affected. While wildfires, droughts, and heatwaves have historically struck the region, climate scientists note that global warming caused by fossil fuel use has intensified the conditions driving such extreme weather events.
Neighboring countries, including Greece, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Albania, have recently requested assistance from the EU’s firefighting force.
Portugal is also grappling with eight large-scale blazes, particularly near the mountainous area of Piodao. Thousands of firefighters are on the ground as smoke drifting from fires in both Spain and Portugal has created hazy conditions over the UK. While Portugal is expected to experience cooler weather soon, parts of Spain face forecasts of temperatures soaring up to 45°C (113°F) on August 17, worsening the crisis.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez acknowledged the severity of the crisis, warning that “challenging days lie ahead and, unfortunately, the weather is not on our side.” Alfonso Rueda, president of Galicia’s regional government, confirmed evacuations and lockdowns, stressing that residential areas remain at risk as flames continue to threaten homes.
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