Scorching heat drives flames across Spain and Portugal
Wildfires are tearing through Spain and Portugal as extreme heat, intensified by climate change, fuels destruction across southern Europe. One in four weather stations in Spain registered 40C on Sunday, with a peak of 45.8C in Cádiz, according to the national weather agency Aemet. Officials warned of “very high or extreme fire danger” across much of the country.
Vast areas destroyed, lives lost
So far this year, 348,000 hectares in Spain and 216,000 in Portugal have burned, according to Copernicus data. Four people in Spain, including a firefighter in a truck accident, and two in Portugal have died. More than 31,000 residents have been evacuated in Spain, and 500 extra soldiers were deployed to join 1,400 troops already battling the flames.
Sánchez calls for national climate pact
Prime minister Pedro Sánchez visited fire-hit regions and called for a “state pact” to confront climate change, urging unity beyond political divides. But the conservative opposition dismissed his proposal as inadequate, accusing him of being absent during the crisis.
A Europe-wide emergency
Across Europe, blazes have scorched 530,000 hectares this year — more than double the long-term average. Several countries, including Portugal, have appealed for EU firefighting aid. Authorities warn that drought and rising temperatures keep vegetation highly flammable, even as the heatwave shows signs of easing.
Unprecedented fire behaviour
Spain’s defence minister, Margarita Robles, said the Military Emergencies Unit has never faced conditions this extreme since its creation 20 years ago. “We are seeing fire behaviour unlike anything before — driven by climate change,” she said.
