Fatalities Occur in Portugal's Wildfire, Alarm Sounded in Spain Due to Wildfire Threats
Wildfires Ravage Portugal and Spain Amid Intense Heatwave
As Europe grapples with an unprecedented heatwave, wildfires in Portugal and Spain have scorched vast tracts of land, resulting in extensive firefighting efforts and tragic losses.
In Spain, fires have torched over 382,000 hectares (944,000 acres) since the start of the year, breaking previous records set in 2006. As of mid-August, approximately 20 active blazes were ongoing, with the region of Ourense being one of the hardest-hit[1][5]. A recent update from August 23 suggests that some of the deadly wildfires in Spain are nearing containment, indicating that firefighting efforts continue[3].
Portugal has witnessed over 347,000 hectares (857,000 acres) go up in flames since the beginning of 2025, making it the second-worst year on record, following 2017. Approximately 10 large fires were active around mid-August, with the largest near Trancoso consuming more than 39,000 hectares[1].
European Union satellite services, such as the Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service, are playing a crucial role in the firefighting efforts. These services provide high-resolution satellite imagery to help emergency teams monitor fire spread and plan responses effectively[2].
While the exact death toll in Spain remains unspecified, the scale of the disaster and smoke plumes visible from space indicate severe impacts on both the land and affected communities[2][3]. Portugal has reported its first fatality due to the ongoing fires on August 15. Tragically, the former mayor of the eastern town of Guarda, Carlos Damaso, also lost his life while battling the blazes[4].
The wildfires in Portugal are being managed by the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority. Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has returned from holidays to manage the situation, invoking the EU's civil protection mechanism to request aid, specifically four firefighting aircraft until Monday[1].
Elsewhere in Europe, Greece is still fighting fires on one Aegean island, but the situation regarding fires in several other southern European countries has improved.
The situation remains dynamic, with firefighting efforts ongoing and satellite monitoring playing a key role in managing the wildfire crisis in the Iberian Peninsula amid the intense heatwave[1][2][3].
| Aspect | Details | |------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | Burned area Spain| Over 382,000 hectares burnt in 2025 (record high) | | Burned area Portugal| Over 347,000 hectares burnt (second worst year) | | Active fires | About 20 in Spain (mid-August), 10 in Portugal | | Firefighter aid | EU Copernicus satellite mapping and coordination | | Death toll | Not specified, but wildfires described as deadly | | Most affected areas| NW Spain (Ourense, Galicia), northern Portugal, Trancoso | | Fatality in Portugal | Former mayor of Guarda, Carlos Damaso, died fighting the fires | | Invoked aid | Portugal invoked EU's civil protection mechanism for aid |
[1] BBC News, "Portugal wildfires: Hundreds evacuated," 24 August 2025, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58412380 [2] The Guardian, "Portugal and Spain wildfires: satellite images show extent of devastation," 23 August 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/23/portugal-and-spain-wildfires-satellite-images-show-extent-of-devastation [3] Reuters, "Spain's wildfires near containment, but heatwave threatens more blazes," 23 August 2025, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spains-wildfires-near-containment-heatwave-threatens-more-blazes-2025-08-23/ [4] The Local, "Portugal mayor killed by wildfire in central town of Guarda," 16 August 2025, https://www.thelocal.pt/20250816/portugal-mayor-killed-by-wildfire-in-central-town-of-guarda [5] El País, "Ourense: El incendio de Monte Trapiño," 23 August 2025, https://elpais.com/eco/2025/08/23/actualidad/1656428160_625780.html
In the midst of an intense heatwave, the general news of wildfires in Europe has been dominating headlines, with specific focus on the crime-and-justice story of the tragic deaths in Portugal and Spain. To combat the wildfires, weather reports have played a key role in guiding firefighting efforts and monitoring fire spread, using satellite imagery provided by services like the Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service.
