Fire inferno in northwestern Spain: Sánchez cancels vacation!

Fire inferno in northwestern Spain: Sánchez cancels vacation!

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez interrupted his summer vacation on August 17, 2025 to address the catastrophic situation caused by forest and vegetation fires in northwestern Spain. The affected provinces of Ourense and León are the focus of his visit. **[RND]** reports that around 1,150 square kilometers of land have been destroyed by the devastating fires in the last two weeks - an area that is more than twice as large as Lake Constance. Shockingly, thousands of people have had to be evacuated and there are already at least three confirmed deaths linked to the disaster.

Last Sunday, 20 fires of the highest danger level were registered. This is a worrying sign, especially given the prevailing drought and heat wave, which is bringing temperatures above 40 degrees. The weather service Aemet has also warned of an increased risk of fire in several regions until Monday. To bring the situation under control, Spain has asked its EU partners for support; Two firefighting planes are expected from the Netherlands.

Relief efforts and logistical challenges

An aid convoy from Bonn, which includes more than 20 fire engines and 67 firefighters, is already on its way to the fire areas. In the regions of Galicia, Castile and León, Extremadura and Asturias, 13 rural roads had to be closed, while rail connections in Galicia are also interrupted. Strict curfews have been imposed in some villages to ensure the safety of residents. Particularly affected are sparsely populated areas and nature reserves, where the village of Palacios de Jamuz was partially destroyed.

Fighting the fires is an enormous effort involving thousands of firefighters, military emergency relief units, civil defense and police. The operations manager described the situation as extremely challenging. While the emergency services on the ground and from the air, supported by helicopters and firefighting aircraft, are trying to tame the flames, the emergency services in Portugal are struggling with similar problems. More than 3,200 emergency services are fighting nine major fires here, while the situation in Arganil and Sátão is considered critical.

Causes and effects

Experts point out that climate change and rural exodus are contributing to the increased risk of fire. Over the last fifty years, areas of forest and bushland have increased, increasing the likelihood and extent of fire risk. According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), over 1,570 square kilometers of forest and vegetation have been destroyed by fires in Europe since the beginning of the year. After just eight months, 2025 could be the third worst fire year in the last two decades.

The devastating situation in both Spain and Portugal requires urgent action and it is hoped that international offers of assistance will arrive as quickly as possible to save lives and restore nature.