Iberian Wildfires Spark Massive Evacuations as Thousands of Firefighters Mobilize

Heatwave Persists Across the Iberian Peninsula

Widespread Emergency Measures Implemented

Extreme temperatures are gripping the region, prompting massive firefighting efforts and the evacuation of several communities.

• Over thousands of firefighters deployed to counter relentless blazes.
• Multiple towns effectively evacuated to safeguard residents.
• National resources regularly reallocated to support local emergency teams.

Leadership Presence on the Ground

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez personally visited the hardest-hit areas, engaging face‑to‑face with the heads of emergency operations to assess progress and coordinate support.

Spain and Portugal Face Severe Wildfires Amid Ongoing Heatwave

The Iberian Peninsula is currently battling extensive wildfires that have forced large-scale evacuations and called for the deployment of thousands of emergency responders. The situation is compounded by a relentless heatwave that continues to ravage the region.

Prime Minister’s On‑Site Visit

• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez toured the affected areas of Ourense and León, meeting with leaders of emergency and coordination teams.
• He was joined by Interior Minister Fernando Grande‑Marlaska during the tour.
• Sánchez emphasized that the upcoming hours and days would be critical for containing the fires.

Government Response and Resources

• The administration pledged the necessary support to extinguish the flames, including an additional 500 military personnel.
• Emergency operations are described as possibly the largest civil‑protection mobilisation in European history.
• Prime Minister Sánchez announced plans for a national state pact aimed at adapting Spain to the realities of climate change.

Regional Collaboration

• Sánchez met with Galician regional president Alfonso Rueda.
• He also engaged with the delegate of the Castile‑and‑León government, Nicanor Sen.
• Further visits to other fire‑affected parts of Spain are scheduled for the coming week.

Firefighting Aircraft Sprays Water on Wildfire in Veiga das Meas, Northwestern Spain

Desperate Heatwaves Ignite New Forest Fires

Spain is facing a rise in scorching temperatures that has triggered a surge of wildfires, especially in the regions of Galicia, León, and Cáceres. Local authorities claim that up to thirteen separate blazes are actively burning.

Scale of the Devastation

• Burned area exceeds 115,000 hectares across the country.
• Galicia alone accounts for more than 50,000 hectares, predominantly in the heavily affected province of Ourense.

Response Efforts

The Spanish Ministry of the Interior reports that roughly 13,600 members of the State Security Forces have been called upon to combat the fires. In Salamanca, around 575 residents from several towns were evacuated as the flames grew.

Temperatures are forecast to stay extremely elevated through Monday, with some areas potentially reaching over 44 °C as confirmed by the national meteorological service.

Portugal Affected Amid Heightened Fire Threat

Across the border in mainland Portugal, more than 3,200 firefighters fought nine major blazes on Sunday, mainly concentrated in the towns of Arganil and Sátão. The country has experienced multiple fires since July, particularly in its North and Central regions. Persistent heat has triggered an official state of alert that remains in place. These fires have resulted in at least one fatality and several injuries.

Wildfire Exacerbates Threat to Trancoso, Portugal

The latest satellite imagery released by Maxar Technologies reveals a vigorous fire line in the Trancoso region of Portugal, captured on Tuesday, 12 August 2025.

Current Damage Assessment

• Fire‑blasted area: Approximately 139,000 hectares have been scorched across Portugal to date.
• Year‑to‑date comparison: This figure is 17 times larger than the burned area recorded during the comparable period in 2024.
• Recent surge: Nearly half of the total devastation occurred over just two days this week.

Government Response

• EU support: On Friday, the Portuguese government invoked the EU’s civil protection mechanism, securing a multinational firefighting alliance.
• Air support: Reports indicate that two “Fire Boss” aircraft are scheduled to land in Portugal on Monday, bolstering the national response.

Future Outlook

The authorities are monitoring the situation closely as weather conditions and resource mobilization continue to evolve. The use of satellite data allows for rapid assessment and strategic deployment of firefighting assets.