Spain faces high and extreme fire risk due to intense heat advisory
Spain Continues to Battle Intense Wildfire Season Amid Persistent Heatwave
Spain is currently grappling with one of its most challenging wildfire seasons in over two decades, as a prolonged heatwave and dry conditions continue to fuel the risk of fires across the country.
On Friday, August 15, the national meteorological agency, Aemet, issued a warning for much of Spain, stating that the risk of wildfires is "very high to extreme." This alarming prediction follows nearly two weeks of high temperatures that have affected Spain, with the heatwave spreading to the northwestern region of Cantabria on Friday.
The temperatures in Cantabria are forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius, a significant rise from the region's usual temperatures. Prior to this, Cantabria had been spared from the searing heat.
The current wildfire risk levels in Spain remain very high to extreme across most regions due to ongoing heatwaves, drought, and accumulated dry vegetation. Authorities report about 16 major active fires with high-risk ratings concentrated particularly in Galicia, Castile and León, Extremadura, Asturias, and Valencia.
Regarding the expected temperatures over the upcoming weekend (August 30–31, 2025), although exact temperature forecasts for that period are not available, given the persistent heatwave conditions noted throughout August and early September, Spain can be expected to experience continued hot and dry weather consistent with a high wildfire risk environment.
The region has recently seen extreme heat driving wildfire outbreaks and record emissions, indicating that temperatures are likely to remain elevated. In summary, the weather outlook suggests continued warm, dry conditions favoring wildfire persistence and spread over the weekend.
This ongoing crisis has put immense pressure on Spain's emergency services, who are working tirelessly to contain the active fires. As the country braces for more challenging weather conditions, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of its citizens and minimising the impact of these wildfires.
Environmental science experts are urging caution and heightened awareness as climate-change induced weather patterns continue to exacerbate Spain's wildfire season. The scientific community is particularly concerned about the long-term effects of this trend on the nation's environmental-science due to the repeated instances of intense heat and dry weather conditions that foster the propagation of wildfires. Moreover, experts are closely monitoring the evolving weather conditions, forecasting a persistence of hot and dry weather consistent with a high wildfire risk environment even over the weekend of August 30–31, 2025.
