Spain is facing one of its most severe wildfire seasons in years. A historic heatwave has pushed temperatures above 40°C (104°F) in many areas, with some locations reaching a staggering 46°C (115°F). These extreme conditions, combined with dry vegetation and strong winds, are causing fires to spread at alarming speeds. Authorities have issued warnings that the fire risk is “very high to extreme” across most of the country.

The heatwave isn’t limited to Spain. Portugal, Greece, and other southern European countries are also battling wildfires, stretching firefighting resources across the region. Meteorologists warn that these extreme summer conditions are likely to continue for several more days, increasing the risk of new outbreaks.

Currently, 14 major wildfires are active, primarily in Galicia, Castilla y León, and Extremadura. So far, around 158,000 hectares of land have been scorched¹, nearly double the usual area burned at this time of year.

One of the most intense fires in León has destroyed entire forests, with flames reaching heights of 20 meters. In some areas, the fire has been able to burn up to 4,000 hectares in a single hour, showing the extreme speed and danger posed by these blazes.