Spain is currently grappling with an acute wildfire crisis, with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declaring the nation at an "extreme risk" level as firefighters work tirelessly to contain 14 major blazes. In a post shared on X, Sanchez warned that Friday's conditions would be particularly challenging, sharing a graphic from the national weather agency Aemet that indicated extreme fire risk across northern and western regions.
The situation has escalated as a heatwave has engulfed much of southeastern Europe this week, leading to widespread wildfires in Spain, Portugal, Greece, France, and the Balkans. In Galicia, several smaller fires have merged into an expansive blaze, resulting in significant disruptions including the closure of highways and rail services.
According to Avincis, Europe’s largest emergency aerial service operator, there’s a staggering 50% increase in flight hours dedicated to firefighting efforts in Spain and Portugal this season compared to last. Aemet forecasts that the heatwave will persist until Monday, with temperatures soaring up to 44C in certain areas and moderate winds exacerbating the risks.
Spain has become the fifth European nation to seek assistance in battling wildfires this summer, with about one-quarter of all burnt farmland in the EU this year attributed to wildfires in Spain. The Spanish Civil Guard has reported the arrest of two individuals suspected of starting blazes in Castille and León, raising the total number of arson arrests to ten since June.
Even as weather conditions currently favor wildfire activity, various common activities can inadvertently ignite fires, including barbecues and discarded cigarette butts. Spain's regulations classify causing a wildfire, even inadvertently, as a criminal offense.
In Greece, the wildfire crisis continues to unfold, particularly on the island of Chios, where firefighters are still combating an active blaze three days after it began. Many regions are facing infrastructure repairs, electrical outages, and water supply challenges.
The heightened wildfire danger has resulted in a very high wildfire warning for various parts of Greece, including Attica and the Peloponnese. Several countries in the region, including Greece, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Albania, have utilized the EU's civil protection mechanism to request emergency assistance amidst this ongoing disaster.
The situation has escalated as a heatwave has engulfed much of southeastern Europe this week, leading to widespread wildfires in Spain, Portugal, Greece, France, and the Balkans. In Galicia, several smaller fires have merged into an expansive blaze, resulting in significant disruptions including the closure of highways and rail services.
According to Avincis, Europe’s largest emergency aerial service operator, there’s a staggering 50% increase in flight hours dedicated to firefighting efforts in Spain and Portugal this season compared to last. Aemet forecasts that the heatwave will persist until Monday, with temperatures soaring up to 44C in certain areas and moderate winds exacerbating the risks.
Spain has become the fifth European nation to seek assistance in battling wildfires this summer, with about one-quarter of all burnt farmland in the EU this year attributed to wildfires in Spain. The Spanish Civil Guard has reported the arrest of two individuals suspected of starting blazes in Castille and León, raising the total number of arson arrests to ten since June.
Even as weather conditions currently favor wildfire activity, various common activities can inadvertently ignite fires, including barbecues and discarded cigarette butts. Spain's regulations classify causing a wildfire, even inadvertently, as a criminal offense.
In Greece, the wildfire crisis continues to unfold, particularly on the island of Chios, where firefighters are still combating an active blaze three days after it began. Many regions are facing infrastructure repairs, electrical outages, and water supply challenges.
The heightened wildfire danger has resulted in a very high wildfire warning for various parts of Greece, including Attica and the Peloponnese. Several countries in the region, including Greece, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Albania, have utilized the EU's civil protection mechanism to request emergency assistance amidst this ongoing disaster.
