Spain Fire Map: Significant Blazes Scorch Over 8,700 Hectares in Yearly Total

Unleashing the Flames: A Rundown of Forest Fires in Spain

Spain's green landscapes have faced the fury of approximately 9,000 hectares of forest fires this year, given the real-time estimates from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS). While this figure surpasses the Ministry for the Ecological Transition's (Miteco) March 31 report by a mere 3,200 hectares, April saw a 40% reduction in burned surface area compared to predictions based on historical data.

Here's a quick breakdown of the most notable facts:

Spain has witnessed a total of 1,340 hectares burned this month alone.
February stood out as the month with the most burned hectares, reaching a staggering 3,100.
Cantabria boasts the dubious title of the most affected province, burning around 5,900 hectares of forest, while Almería is a close follower with around 1,300 hectares lost to the flames.
The first major fire this year made headlines in Selaya, Cantabria, consuming about 1,400 hectares. May brought another significant blaze to Benahadux, Almería, burning over 1,300 hectares.
These fires eventually join the 279 major fires (defined by Miteco with more than 500 hectares burned) that have graced Spain's landscape throughout this century. 2024 saw the end of 20 such fires. The fires of Soba (Cantabria), La Estrella (Toledo), Obejo (Córdoba), and Barchín del Hoyo (Cuenca), all exceeding 2,000 hectares, were some of the most noteworthy.
Last year, the total area of burned land in Spain surpassed 47,000 hectares, representing a reduction of 46% compared to the previous year's records.

Europe isn't immune to the fire wrath, either. Across the European Union, around 175,100 hectares of forest have already gone up in flames this year, with Slovakia and Germany witnessing greater forest burns than usual for this time. April saw a whopping 147% increase in burned hectares across the continent compared to the average for the date.

In terms of comparative data across years, Spain took the crown as the EU country most affected by fire in 2022. Greece and Italy suffered the most from fires in 2023, with over 175,000 and almost 100,000 hectares burned, respectively.

To prevent future incidences, take these precautions seriously:

Never toss casually discarded cigarettes or matches on the ground.
Refrain from lighting fires in the woods during high-risk periods.
Seek approval and follow safety measures if you're planning to have a bush fire.
Restrict the use of agricultural and forest machinery during high-risk periods.
Adhere to access restrictions in forest areas during high-risk periods.
Practice extra caution with fire during agricultural activities.
Immediately report any observed fires to 112 or your autonomous community's emergency telephone number.
Remember safety first: never attempt to put out a fire by yourself.
Minimize the use of tools that could generate sparks during high-risk periods.
Dispose of trash only in designated containers.

Sources:* Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge* NASA's FIRMS fire information service* European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS)* Miteco

Enrichment Data:

Ongoing Concern: Spain still grapples with a few significant wildfires, including one in Mallorca, exacerbated by unusually high temperatures.
Affected Provinces: Apart from Cantabria and Almería, other provinces reporting substantial wildfire loss include Huesca, Tarragona, and Leon, each with hundreds of hectares burned.
Historical Comparison: Spain saw a lower number of forest fires in the first few months compared to its 20-year average, covering around 77% of the total hectares burned in an average year[1].
The environmental science community closely monitors the impact of forest fires on Spain's climate-change dynamics, as the burned areas contribute to increased greenhouse gas emissions.
The weather forecasting data from meteorological services can help predict the occurrence of forest fires, enabling prevention measures to be put in place during high-risk periods.
Given the escalating climate-change issues, the role of environmental-science specialists and weather-forecasting experts becomes increasingly crucial in managing and mitigating the effects of forest fires in the future.