Spain boosts wildfire response

Spanish firefighters are battling 12 major wildfires in Galicia as record heat shapes the regional response.

Spain mobilizes hundreds of troops to fight wildfires amid record heat

Spain announced a further 500 soldiers will join the more than 1,400 already on wildfire duty, bringing total manpower to about 1,900 as fires push toward populated areas near Ourense in Galicia. Authorities say 12 major fires are active in the region, with evacuations and lockdowns in place while crews await air support from other European countries.

Temperatures could reach as high as 45C in parts of Spain, according to AEMET, with the EU firefighting cooperation stepping up as Spain receives two Dutch water dumping planes and earlier help from France and Italy. Rail services along the Madrid to Galicia corridor were suspended due to the fires, and residents are advised to wear masks to avoid inhaling smoke and ash and to limit time spent outdoors.

The move to expand firefighting capacity shows how governments are splitting the immediate response from long term climate risk planning. Cross border help underscores a growing regional reliance on European cooperation when heat and drought intensify quickly.

The episode also highlights a broader budget and political challenge. Fire services are stretched, and the cost of a longer fire season may pressure public finances and shift attention to climate adaptation funding. As the fires spread in Galicia and fires flare in neighboring countries, the public will watch how quickly authorities translate planning into protection for residents and critical infrastructure.

Highlights

The firefighting effort will test Europe’s readiness to translate climate risk into durable safeguards.