Lorraine Williamson
Spain is facing the aftermath of one of its most punishing summers in decades. With entire forests reduced to ash and villages submerged by flash floods, the government has now taken the extraordinary step of declaring most of the country disaster zones. The move unlocks a wave of aid intended to help shattered communities recover.
While the announcement came in Madrid, the reality is being felt hundreds of kilometres away in Galicia, Asturias, and Castile and León. Vast fires are still advancing despite the deployment of thousands of firefighters and military personnel. In Zamora, flames near Lake Sanabria have broken firebreaks, forcing more evacuations. And, in Galicia’s Lugo province, a new blaze has erupted in A Pobra do Brollón, adding to weeks of devastation.
In Asturias, smoke hangs over mountain villages in Degaña, Cangas del Narcea, and Somiedo. The fires are not yet under control, though calmer winds have brought some relief. For many families, the wait to return home continues.
Aid package aims to speed recovery
By designating disaster zones, the Council of Ministers has unlocked a mechanism that delivers direct financial support, tax relief, and faster approvals for rebuilding projects. Farmers who have seen their fields and livestock destroyed by either fire or flood are among those set to receive urgent assistance.
The measures also cover the heavy flooding of recent months, which left streets underwater from Andalucia to Catalonia. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the summer’s twin catastrophes as “a brutal reminder of the climate crisis we face”, and pledged that no affected community would be left behind.
Europe rallies to Spain’s side
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen underlined Brussels’ backing in a message on X.
“I just spoke with @sanchezcastejon. Europe stands with Spain in its fight against forest fires. Our #rescEU teams are on the ground battling the flames alongside Spanish firefighters. And we will be there the day after to support recovery with our European Solidarity Fund.”
Her words came as European aircraft and crews joined Spain’s emergency services, underscoring how increasingly common cross-border cooperation has become during climate disasters.
Sánchez praises frontline efforts
During a visit to Asturias, Sánchez also used X to pay tribute to the men and women risking their lives in the fire zones.
“Quiero felicitar a @VirBarcones y a @proteccioncivil por su labor al pie del cañón todos estos días. Todos los efectivos al alcance del Estado han sido desplegados para combatir los incendios. Gracias a la solidaridad de las CC.AA. y de los países que están con nuestro país.”
The prime minister stressed that “all available resources” had been mobilised and thanked Spain’s regions and international partners for their solidarity.
Nationwide scope, rare exceptions
The disaster status extends across nearly every corner of Spain, from Galicia to Andalucia, Catalonia to Madrid, and the Balearic and Canary Islands. Only the Basque Country and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla are excluded.
Such broad coverage is unusual, but underlines the widespread destruction of recent weeks. Scientists point out that hotter, drier summers combined with sudden cloudbursts make Spain one of Europe’s most vulnerable to climate extremes.
Wave of solidarity in Spain´s wildfire crisis
Political storm overshadows response
Even as reinforcements arrive on the fire lines, the government’s handling of the crisis has triggered sharp exchanges in Madrid. The conservative Partido Popular (PP) accuses Sánchez of failing to mobilise resources quickly enough, particularly the UME, Spain’s military emergency unit.
The prime minister rejected those claims, insisting that his administration has reinforced deployments and is coordinating closely with regional authorities. He, in turn, accused the opposition of “turning tragedy into political theatre” rather than contributing to long-term solutions.
Summers are remade by climate change
Behind the political rows lies a sobering reality. Spain’s summers are changing. Forest fires that once flared in isolated patches now roar across regions. Sudden floods swamp towns ill-prepared for torrential downpours.
For residents forced from their homes, the disaster designation brings hope of rebuilding. But many fear that this year’s devastation is not an anomaly—it is a glimpse of summers to come.
Source: El País