Spain Wildfires: Seven Dead, Over 1.5 Million Acres Burned

Spain is facing a critical situation with 14 major wildfires. Authorities are warning of adverse conditions, as the fires have already claimed the lives of seven people and burned over 1.5 million acres of land.

A prolonged heatwave of the last 12 days, combined with southern winds, creates an explosive environment for the spread of fires. Virginia Barcones, head of emergency services, stated that this is one of the worst summers for fires in the last 20 years.

In Galicia, a large fire front led to the closure of highways and railway lines. The national meteorological service AEMET has issued a warning for extreme fire risk in the northern and western parts of the country, with temperatures expected to reach up to 40 degrees Celsius.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote on X that the day will be very difficult, with an extreme risk of new fires breaking out. Avincis, announced a 50% increase in flight hours in firefighting operations in Spain and Portugal.

Scientists warn that climate change is intensifying heat and dryness, making fires more frequent and severe.

Source: Πρώτο Θέμα