Spain's wildfires scorch nearly 300,000 hectares, accounting for almost half of EU's burned land
Spain has burned about 296,815 hectares this year, representing roughly half of the total area burned across the European Union.
According to the European Forest Fire Information System, Spain has experienced wildfires that have consumed 296,815 hectares of forest, scrub, farmland and countryside this year, making up almost half of the EU's total burned area. Although Italy recorded more individual fires, Spain's fires have destroyed a far larger swath of land. The most intense period was in July, when large fires in Almería, including the Los Gallardos blaze that killed 15 people, and simultaneous fires in Madrid, Ávila and Toledo together burned over 77,000 hectares.
Year-to-date figures are lower than the same point last year, yet remain more than three times the 2006-2025 average. The aftermath will affect rural communities, agriculture and infrastructure, and the risk of landslides remains high on burned slopes. Fires continue to be tackled in Valencia's Tuéjar area and near Alcolea de Alosno in Huelva, indicating the season's persistence.
Why it matters
The scale of Spain's wildfires threatens ecosystems, agriculture and rural livelihoods across a large part of Europe.
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