Spain Deploys 500 More Troops Amid Escalating Wildfire Crisis
URGENT UPDATE: Spain is deploying an additional 500 soldiers to combat devastating wildfires exacerbated by an ongoing heatwave. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced this critical decision on Sunday as the nation faces extreme temperatures and fierce forest blazes, particularly in the northwestern region of Galicia.
The deployment comes on top of the existing 1,400 troops already engaged in firefighting efforts. Authorities are grappling with 12 major wildfires in Galicia, close to the city of Ourense, where they are racing against time to protect homes and evacuate residents. The head of the Galician regional government, Alfonso Rueda, emphasized the urgent threat, stating, “Homes are still under threat so we have lockdowns in place and are carrying out evacuations.”
The situation is dire as temperatures across Spain are predicted to soar to 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) today. The National Weather Agency, AEMET, has marked the wildfire danger as “extreme,” urging residents to exercise caution. Just yesterday, Cordoba recorded a staggering 44.7 degrees Celsius (112.46 degrees Fahrenheit), highlighting the severity of this prolonged heatwave.
Since the beginning of this year, wildfires in Spain have already scorched a staggering 158,000 hectares (390,000 acres), an area comparable to metropolitan London, according to the European Forest Fire Information System. This alarming trend reflects a broader pattern of climate change, with Europe warming at an alarming rate—twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, as reported by the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.
In a bid to bolster firefighting capabilities, Spain is anticipating the arrival of two Dutch water-dumping aircraft, joining existing support from France and Italy under a European cooperation agreement. The chief of Spain’s Civil Protection Agency, Virginia Barcones, confirmed that additional firefighters from other countries are also expected to arrive soon.
As the fires rage on, Renfe, Spain’s national rail operator, has suspended high-speed train services from Madrid to Galicia due to the escalating crisis. Local authorities are advising residents to wear face masks and limit outdoor activities to minimize exposure to smoke and ash.
While Spain battles these fierce wildfires, neighboring Portugal is experiencing a temporary reprieve with cooler weather after its own series of severe forest fires. However, a national wildfire alert remains in effect following the enactment on August 2, which is set to conclude tomorrow. Over 4,000 firefighters and more than 1,300 vehicles are currently deployed in Portugal, alongside 17 aircraft, as reported by the country’s Civil Protection Agency.
The situation remains fluid, with the total scorched area in Portugal this year reaching approximately 139,000 hectares, a staggering 17 times greater than in 2024. Countries including Greece, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Albania have also sought assistance from the EU’s firefighting force as they face similar wildfire threats.
The collective response to these wildfires underscores the urgent need for international cooperation in addressing climate-related disasters. As the situation develops, residents and officials alike are hoping for a swift resolution to this escalating crisis.
