Spain is facing its most destructive wildfire season on record, with more than 343,000 hectares of land scorched since the start of 2025—an area more than four times the size of New York City. The scale has already surpassed the previous record of 306,000 hectares burned in 2022, underscoring a deepening crisis fueled by a relentless heatwave, record drought, and powerful winds.
At least four people have lost their lives, and thousands have been displaced as flames swept through forests, farmland, and entire villages. The northwest regions of Galicia and Castile and Leon have been hit hardest, while fires forced closures along parts of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route and disrupted major rail services between Madrid and Galicia.
Nearly 3,000 troops have been deployed alongside thousands of firefighters, with aerial support requested from France and Italy. Yet containment remains difficult as temperatures climb to 45°C and smoke thickens across the skies—plumes so massive they are visible from space.
Experts warn that these “megafires” are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, compounded by local issues like depopulation and unmanaged vegetation. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced a national pact to tackle the climate emergency, calling for stronger disaster preparedness and adaptation measures.
The damage has already left a heavy toll on Spain’s environment and heritage, with losses in crops, livestock, wildlife, and landscapes that may take decades to recover. Environmentalists caution that the destruction of so much forest will have severe consequences for biodiversity and rural communities.
As southern Europe faces its worst wildfire season in two decades, Spain stands at the forefront of a climate-driven challenge that shows no signs of easing.
