Spain has deployed an additional 500 military personnel to combat devastating wildfires as scorching temperatures continue to fuel blazes across the country. The deployment brings Spain’s total military firefighting force to 1,900 troops, marking one of the largest emergency responses in recent years.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the reinforcement during a press conference in Ourense, one of the hardest-hit regions, as authorities struggle to contain 20 major wildfires nationwide.
Newsweek previously reached out to Portugal’s National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority and the European Forest Fire Information System for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The fires come amid record-high temperatures in the region, with dry landscapes and materials further fueling fires from Greece to Portugal, marking one of the region’s worst fire seasons on record. The European Union (EU) has sent firefighting planes to help battle the blazes, with five countries having requested assistance.
The decision to add to the more than 1,400 troops already on wildfire duty came as authorities struggled to contain forest blazes. Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate from their homes across the region, and hundreds have been injured across countries.
What To Know
Spain’s wildfire crisis has reached critical levels with fires burning across multiple regions simultaneously.
In Galicia’s village of Villardevos, residents have resorted to fighting flames with water buckets after losing electricity needed to power water pumps. The situation has become so desperate that locals organized their own firefighting efforts when professional resources couldn’t reach their area.
Portuguese authorities report that about half of this year’s burned area—approximately 77,500 hectares—was consumed in just the past three days, according to Reuters. The largest Portuguese blaze is burning near Piodao, a popular tourist destination in the country’s mountainous central region. Another fire in Trancoso has been raging for eight consecutive days.
Spanish authorities have identified a troubling human factor in the crisis: since June, 27 people have been arrested, and 92 others are under investigation for suspected arson.
What People Are Saying
AccuWeather wrote in an August 14 X post: “Europe is facing its worst wildfire season on record as deadly wildfires rage across France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Albania. More than 2.4 million acres have burned across Europe.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote in a Saturday X post: “All my encouragement and strength to the four injured members of @UMEgob in the Yeres fire, in León, and to their families. I thank them for their effort and dedication and hope they recover soon.”
The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) wrote in a Friday X post: “This Friday, very high or extreme fire danger in most of the country. The danger will remain at very high or extreme levels during the weekend and Monday, days when the heatwave affecting us since the beginning of the month continues.”
What Happens Next?
Weather forecasters predict temperatures may begin dropping from Tuesday, potentially providing firefighters with more favorable conditions.
Spanish authorities are awaiting additional international assistance, including two Dutch water-dumping aircraft and firefighting teams from other EU countries under existing cooperation agreements. The reinforcements will join French and Italian aircraft already supporting Spanish operations.
Portuguese authorities expect the arrival of two Swedish firefighting planes, while the country’s national wildfire alert status was scheduled to end Sunday.
Reporting includes information from Reuters and the Associated Press.
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