Spain has intensified its efforts to combat raging wildfires that have resulted in the tragic deaths of two firefighters, one in Spain and another in Portugal. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has expressed "sadness" following the loss of a firefighter in Castile and León after his truck fell down a steep hill while battling flames.
The ongoing blazes, exacerbated by a fierce heatwave across southern Europe, have prompted Spain to send an additional 500 troops, raising the total deployed to 1,900. As a result, the toll from the fires has now reached four deaths. In Portugal, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa reported a firefighter's tragic death following an accident on Sunday, which occurred during firefighting duties.
Widespread fires are burning in several European countries, including Greece, France, Turkey, and the Balkans, all of which are grappling with intense heat. In Spain's northwest and western regions, the situation is critical, with around 27,000 residents evacuated throughout affected areas. The region of Castile and León is particularly hard-hit, where local reports describe the air as "unbreathable" due to smoke.
In addition to the fatalities, several individuals have sustained injuries, including four in critical condition in Castile and León. Spain has faced significant wildfires this year alone, with approximately 343,000 hectares burned — nearly double the figure from the previous year, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).
Notably, the Civil Guard in Spain has moved to impose sanctions on four individuals for unauthorized burnings that may have contributed to the spread of fires, illustrating the severity of the situation as wildfires are treated as criminal offenses, even when accidental.
Portugal has also battled persistent wildfires since late July, particularly affecting the country's northern and central regions. President Rebelo de Sousa expressed condolences to the family's bereaved by the firefighters' deaths and noted that two more firefighters suffered injuries in the line of duty.
In response to the escalating crisis, both Spain and Portugal have activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, enabling them to request aid from other countries. International support has begun flowing in, including the deployment of firefighting aircraft to assist efforts on the ground.
As wildfires remain a recurring problem in southern Europe during summer months, meteorologists warn that climate change is leading to increasingly severe weather events, resulting in conditions that fuel these devastating flames.
