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Spanish wildfires expand over 30,000 hectares within a day

Challenging times remain, the Prime Minister indicated on Tuesday, despite the conclusion of the national heatwave.

,   and  ASMedia
2 min read
In just a day, wildfires destroyed an extra 30,000 hectares across Spain.
In just a day, wildfires destroyed an extra 30,000 hectares across Spain.

Spanish wildfires expand over 30,000 hectares within a day

After a grueling ten-day battle, the heatwave that fueled Spain's devastating wildfires has finally come to an end. However, the damage is far from over.

According to data from the European satellite Copernicus, over 373,000 hectares of land have been consumed by the fires since the beginning of the year. This makes 2025 the worst year for area burned by fires in Spain since 2006, with nearly 4,000 square kilometers (about 400,000 hectares) of land destroyed - a staggering 6.5 times the national average burned area historically recorded.

Key Statistics

The wildfires of 2025 have left a trail of destruction across Spain. Over 33,000 people were evacuated due to the fires, with 18 large wildfires still active in regions including Asturias, Castilla y León, Galicia, and Extremadura as of late August 2025.

Causes

The extreme wildfire season in Spain can be attributed to a combination of factors. Extreme heatwaves and drought conditions, exacerbated by climate change and prolonged dry periods, have created highly flammable forest conditions. Human activity, including arson, has been identified as a cause for some fires. Strong winds and the growth of vegetation due to wetter springs have further complicated efforts to contain the fires.

Impact

The impact of the wildfires has been severe across ecological, social, and economic dimensions. Large forest ecosystems and biodiversity have been devastated, affecting forest resilience and landscape recovery. Over 31,000 people were displaced in some regions, with evacuations disrupting communities and transportation. Smoke and air pollution from the fires caused health issues for affected populations. The economic sectors of agriculture and tourism, crucial to southern Spain’s economy, face threats due to wildfire destruction and resulting loss of arable land and tourist appeal.

Regional Severity

One of the largest individual blazes was in Ourense, Galicia, where merged fires destroyed over 620 km². Extremadura’s Jarilla fire burned approximately 120 km² and was nearing control by late August 2025. Castilla y León suffered 26 active fires simultaneously, causing massive disruption and evacuations.

Looking Ahead

With the drop in temperature and increase in humidity, efforts to contain the ongoing fires should be aided. Emergency services in Spain are supported by soldiers and firefighters from multiple countries, including France. However, Pedro Sánchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, warned of difficult hours ahead in the fight against the fires.

[1] European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS)

[2] BBC News

[3] The Guardian

[4] Climate Central

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