Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s first major wildfire of 2025 has left a trail of devastation in inland Catalonia, killing two people and scorching over 5,000 hectares of land. The blaze broke out in the high plains of La Segarra, a remote region in the province of Lleida known for its rolling fields of grain and scattered stone villages.
The victims, both farmers, were found near the village of Coscó by emergency teams battling the fire. Their deaths are under investigation by the regional police force, the Mossos d’Esquadra. Local authorities have expressed shock and sympathy following the tragedy.
Ferocious firestorm fuelled by extreme winds
The fire is now classed as stabilised, but conditions remain volatile. An approaching storm system could reignite hotspots, prompting over 50 fire crews to remain on high alert. According to fire inspector David Borrell, the blaze was supercharged by a lethal mix of 40-degree heat, desiccated crops, and ferocious winds.
Flames raced across the dry landscape at a record-breaking 28 kilometres per hour. In some areas, gusts reached 120 km/h, making it one of the most intense fires ever documented in Europe. Emergency teams described it as a “sixth generation fire”. This is a term used for wildfires that develop their own extreme weather patterns.
Smoke rose 14 kilometres into the sky
One of the most alarming phenomena was the formation of a pyrocumulus cloud. Created by rising hot air saturated with smoke, ash and water vapour, the cloud towered to 14 kilometres above Earth. Consequently, the sky over the region turned a hazy grey-brown.
Rainfall late at night helped break up the cloud formation. Moreover, it assisted firefighters in finally slowing the blaze just before midnight.
Regional leaders express sorrow and gratitude
Catalan president Salvador Illa voiced his grief on social media. He called the deaths “heartbreaking” and offered his condolences to the families. Interior minister Núria Parlón thanked local residents, mayors and farmers who responded rapidly to support emergency services, many of whom volunteered equipment and access to land to help fight the flames.
Agricultural losses and damage to property
Beyond the environmental toll, the fire has also struck agricultural land and rural homes in villages such as Guardiola and Renant. While the full extent of the damage has not yet been confirmed, several properties and farmland areas have been affected. Investigators are still working to determine the fire’s origin.
A grim start to Spain’s wildfire season
This deadly blaze comes as climate experts warn of an increasingly volatile summer across southern Europe, where prolonged drought and erratic storms are expected to create more fire risks. Spain, which has faced record-breaking temperatures and parched landscapes in recent years, is again on edge.
The tragedy in La Segarra is a stark reminder of how fast nature can turn deadly — and how urgently rural regions need stronger protection in the face of intensifying climate extremes.
Source: LaVozDeGalicia