Record Iberian wildfires demand cross-border response

Record wildfires in western Spain and northern Portugal threaten communities as a heatwave and drought intensify the crisis.

Wildfires rage across Spain and Portugal as record area of land burned

Thousands of firefighters, backed by soldiers and water-bombing aircraft, have battled more than 20 major wildfires across western Spain. Officials say a record area of land has burned this year, with more than 343,000 hectares destroyed, according to the European Forest Fire Information System. The fires are spreading through Castile and Leon, Galicia, and Extremadura, where evacuations continue as temperatures approach 45 degrees Celsius in some areas.

Across the border in Portugal, about 2,000 firefighters are deployed across the north and centre, with air support from Sweden and Morocco. The country has seen roughly 216,000 hectares burned since the start of the year. Two firefighters were killed in separate road accidents, underscoring the danger crews face beyond fire lines. Spain reports 23 blazes classified as operational level two, meaning they threaten nearby communities. Weather officials warn that smoke and heat complicate the firefighting effort, even as officials hope a easing in the heat will help control the blazes.

The Iberian fires underline a growing climate threat that is translating into longer, hotter fire seasons. The cross-border response shows cooperation is possible, but it also exposes gaps in prevention funding and emergency readiness. The focus on immediate response risks overshadowing long-term investments in forest management and climate adaptation. If this summer’s fires persist, governments will face renewed pressure from communities and voters to show results, not just rapid firefighting. The crisis highlights a broader pattern: extreme weather is testing public budgets, political will, and regional cooperation.

Highlights

The coming weeks will reveal how well Iberian authorities translate urgent action into lasting resilience.