Lorraine Williamson
Spain is grappling with multiple fast-moving wildfires across Castile and León, Galicia, and Navarre, as a searing heatwave and strong winds fuel destruction and force thousands from their homes.
One of the most alarming blazes is tearing through Las Médulas, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape in León once famed for its ancient Roman gold mines. The fire began near Yeres, its spread accelerated by gusts of up to 50 km/h. Lightning is suspected as the cause. By Monday morning, flames were still advancing through difficult-to-reach terrain, prompting the evacuation of around 800 residents from surrounding villages.
Fire crews, battling in punishing heat, warn that shifting winds could spark fresh outbreaks. Conservationists fear severe damage to this unique red-clay landscape. Shaped by centuries of human history it is now at the mercy of nature’s extremes.
Mass evacuations across Castile and León
The crisis has triggered large-scale evacuations: 400 residents in Carucedo, 165 in Orellán, 100 in Las Médulas, and smaller numbers from Voces, Montes de Valdueza, and Yeres. In Zamora, the Molezuelas de la Carballeda fire drove out 850 people, while a blaze in Palencia’s Resoba municipality remains active.
Although an earlier fire in Ávila is now under control, rail services between the city and Madrid are suspended. Authorities have maintained a level 2 alert on the Index of Potential Severity.
Criticism of regional response
Trade unions and emergency workers accuse the Castile and León government of underfunding firefighting services. They cite staff shortages and poor inter-agency coordination. UGT union officials argue that budget cuts have weakened the region’s ability to prevent and contain wildfires, leaving communities more vulnerable during extreme weather events.
Guardia Civil appeals for public help
As flames continue to threaten communities and natural heritage, the Guardia Civil has issued a public call for information on the origins of the outbreaks. In messages posted on X, officers urged anyone with even the smallest detail to come forward, stressing that “your quick collaboration is key.” They provided an email address (seprona@guardiacivil.org) and a contact phone line (062) for tip-offs.
In a separate post naming León, Zamora, Maceda, Chandrexa de Queixa, and Ávila, the force warned that while some fires may be accidental, others are caused by “recklessness” or deliberate acts. “To those who set fire to our natural heritage, let it be clear that we will find you,” they wrote. Thus, confirming investigations are already under way in the worst-hit areas.
Galicia suffers largest blaze of summer
In Galicia’s Ourense province, two major fires have scorched more than 1,200 hectares. The worst-hit is Chandrexa de Queixa. There, 800 hectares are already lost, making it the largest wildfire in Galicia this year. The nearby municipality of Maceda is also affected, with crews stretched to their limits.
Round-the-clock firefighting in Navarre
Navarre’s emergency services are working non-stop to control the Carcastillo fire. Calmer winds have allowed residents there and in Murillo el Fruto to open windows after days of smoke and heat.
Yet the threat persists. A separate blaze in the Larrate plain surged towards Figarol on Sunday night, heightening fears for nearby communities.
A dangerous summer ahead
Temperatures are still soaring and show no immediate relief from the heatwave. Consequently, officials warn that the risk of further fires remains high. For many, this week’s devastation is a stark reminder of how Spain’s summers are being reshaped by the climate crisis—turning historic sites, rural communities, and vast swathes of countryside into tinderboxes.
Source: Infobae