Spain is grappling with its worst wildfire season in over two decades, with fires spreading across the Picos de Europa mountains and forcing the closure of a 50-km stretch of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.
The blazes, fueled by a 16-day heatwave with temperatures reaching 45°C, have burned approximately 344,400 hectares in Spain this year, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).
In Portugal, wildfires have scorched 216,200 hectares, marking a significant escalation from historical averages.
The crisis has claimed four lives in Spain, including a firefighter killed in a truck accident near Espinoso de Compludo, and one in Portugal.
The wildfires have disrupted daily life, particularly in Spain’s Castile and León and Galicia regions, where 27,000 residents have been evacuated.
Thick smoke has rendered the air “unbreathable” in some areas and hampered waterbombing aircraft operations.
Rail services have been suspended, and the Camino de Santiago, a historic pilgrimage path, has been partially closed, affecting thousands of summer pilgrims.
In Cáceres, an uncontrolled fire has consumed 11,000 hectares, while Galicia’s largest blaze has burned 17,500 hectares.
The Spanish army has deployed 1,900 troops to assist firefighters, with additional support from international firefighting planes.
Authorities have arrested 27 individuals and are investigating 92 others for suspected arson in Spain since June.
The Spanish government has activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism to secure emergency aid.
However, regional leaders from the opposition People’s Party have criticized the central government’s planning, demanding more resources.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez proposed a “State Pact” on climate change, a suggestion dismissed by opposition spokesperson Ester Munoz as a diversion.
As the fires continue to challenge response efforts, meteorologists attribute their intensity to climate change, noting harsher weather patterns.