Wildfires continue to rage across Spain and Portugal, fueled by strong winds that have hampered efforts to contain the blazes.
Firefighters, backed by troops and water-dropping aircraft, are battling 21 fires in western Spain, classified as “operational level two,” posing a direct threat to nearby communities.
According to Virginia Barcones, director general of emergency services in Spain, “Temperatures have dropped, but strong gusts of wind continue to hinder firefighting efforts, and the lack of rain is not helping, though we hope that changes in the coming days.”
The fires in Spain have burned nearly 400,000 hectares of land this year, surpassing the previous record of 306,000 hectares in 2022. In Portugal, the death toll has risen to three, with a man killed while fighting fires in the northern municipality of Mirandela.
Approximately 15 people were also injured in Portugal while fighting fires near the central city of Sabugal. Crews are still battling four large fires in Portugal, with over 2,600 firefighters deployed, supported by about 20 aircraft.
Aircraft from Italy, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia have joined the firefighting effort.
Germany sent 60 firefighters and 24 vehicles, France deployed 66 firefighters and 23 vehicles, while Finland sent 26 firefighters.
Sonia Gallego, reporting from the Galicia region, firefighters have been using controlled fires to try to get the fire to change direction and avoid causing more damage.
“One of the reasons these wildfires have been extremely serious this year is there have been very strong winds coupled with record-breaking heat waves,” she said.
Officials say many of the fires were sparked by lightning during dry storms, though arson is suspected in some cases. The fires in Spain and Portugal have been fueled by heat waves and drought blamed on climate change.
Lower humidity in the air, vegetation, and soil makes it easier for wildfires to ignite and harder to control them once they start. Forecasters predict that winds will ease later in the day, with higher humidity levels likely to help efforts. Rain is also forecast in some fire-hit regions on Thursday.
The wildfires have had a significant impact on the environment and local communities. Thousands of people have been displaced, and homes have been destroyed.
The economic impact of the fires is also significant, with damage to crops, livestock, and infrastructure. The situation remains dire, with firefighters and emergency services working tirelessly to contain the blazes and prevent further damage.