Spain Sends 500 Troops to Combat Wildfires Amid Extreme Heat
Spain has deployed an additional 500 troops to combat devastating wildfires that have ravaged forests during an intense heat wave. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the decision on Sunday, bringing the total number of military personnel engaged in firefighting efforts to over 1,900. This surge in personnel comes as authorities grapple with controlling multiple forest blazes, particularly in the northwestern region of Galicia.
Firefighters are currently battling 12 major wildfires in Galicia, with the most significant activity occurring near the city of Ourense. According to Alfonso Rueda, head of the Galician regional government, “Homes are still under threat, so we have lockdowns in place and are carrying out evacuations.” The region has been under siege from the flames for over a week.
Extreme Temperatures and Environmental Impact
The situation is exacerbated by soaring temperatures, with forecasts predicting highs of 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in certain areas. The Spanish national weather agency, AEMET, warned of extreme wildfire danger across most of the country. Just a day prior, the city of Cordoba recorded similar temperatures, prompting serious concerns about the safety of residents and the environment.
This year alone, wildfires in Spain have consumed approximately 390,000 acres of land, an area comparable to that of metropolitan London, according to the European Forest Fire Information System. The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reports that Europe has warmed at twice the global average rate since the 1980s. Scientists highlight that climate change is intensifying heatwaves and droughts, making regions like Spain more susceptible to wildfires.
In response to the escalating crisis, Spain is expecting reinforcements in the form of two Dutch water-dumping planes, which will join support from aircraft already deployed by France and Italy under a European cooperation agreement. Virginia Barcones, chief of Spain’s Civil Protection Agency, stated that additional firefighters from other European nations are also anticipated in the coming days.
Regional Developments and Comparisons
The wildfire situation is not exclusive to Spain. In Portugal, authorities are facing their own challenges with over 4,000 firefighters and more than 1,300 vehicles engaged in firefighting operations. The area affected by fires in Portugal this year is approximately 340,000 acres, which is significantly higher than in 2024, according to preliminary data from the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests.
Portugal had enacted a national state of alert due to wildfires on August 2, which was set to conclude on Sunday, coinciding with the arrival of two Swedish firefighting planes. The pressure on resources is palpable, as the country contends with similar dry conditions that have plagued its neighbors.
In addition, countries such as Greece, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Albania have sought assistance from the EU’s firefighting force, which has been activated as frequently this year as during the entirety of last summer’s fire season.
Meanwhile, in Turkey, wildfires have claimed the lives of 19 people, prompting evacuations in parts of Canakkale, a region known for its historic significance including memorials to World War I’s Gallipoli campaign. The governor of Canakkale, Omer Toraman, confirmed that six villages were evacuated as a precaution against the advancing flames.
As the situation unfolds across southern Europe, the combination of extreme weather conditions and increasing wildfire activity underscores the urgent need for coordinated firefighting efforts and support across national boundaries.
