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Spain is battling its most destructive wildfires in 45 years after more than 120,000 hectares burned across the north and west in a single day, officials said. The devastation equals the total land lost to fire in all of 2024 and brings this year’s total to more than 1.6 million hectares.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared several disaster zones during a visit to Extremadura and pledged new legislation on fire prevention. He blamed the fires on climate change, while accusing conservative-led regional governments of underfunding firefighting services.
The blazes have killed four people and forced more than 30,000 residents to evacuate. Police have arrested 23 suspects on arson charges. Thousands of troops and more than 50 firefighting aircraft have been deployed, with reinforcements arriving from several European countries.
Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the Popular Party accused Sánchez of mishandling the crisis and urged more military involvement. Government officials countered that regional leaders delayed requesting state aid and had cut prevention budgets.
Cooler weather and higher humidity are expected in coming days, raising hopes the fires can soon be brought under control, authorities said.
