Spain's 2026 wildfire season devastates thousands of hectares and claims dozens of lives

Spain's wildfire season in 2026 has become one of the most severe on record, with the burned area tripling the average of the previous two decades, according to the European Forest Fire Information System. The Interior Ministry confirms 21 deaths, including fifteen in a July blaze in Los Gallardos, Almería, and the loss of a Military Emergency Unit corporal in Huesca, as well as 70 injuries. Nearly 118,000 residents have been forced to flee their homes, while 45 major fires—responsible for almost 80% of the total burned area—have ravaged regions from Malaga to Navarra.

Notable incidents include fires threatening Sierra de las Nieves National Park and a level-one danger alert in Caceres. In response, Spain activated a national-interest emergency in July and has kept its summer firefighting resources active until October 31 to combat the ongoing risk.