Spanish wildfires destroy 391,600 hectares of land, continue spreading rapidly

MADRID, Aug 20 (KUNA) -- Spanish Official Television reported on Wednesday that wildfires have ravaged 391,600 hectares across Spain since the beginning of the current year, making 2025 the most destructive year in three decades.
It said that according to data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), 350,000 hectares were burned since August 7, the destruction was concentrated particularly in northwestern Spain, where efforts are still underway to contain 22 major wildfires raging in mountainous areas and nature reserves.
The report stated that Spain has received assistance from firefighting teams and amphibious helicopters from Finland, France, Slovakia, Italy, and Germany, pointing out that the fires remain out of control despite the end of the severe heatwave and a noticeable drop in temperatures across the Iberian Peninsula.
It added that the wildfires have not only devastated forests and farmlands but also claimed the lives of four individuals, injured dozens, and forced more than 33,000 people to evacuate their homes.
The fires also disrupted transportation between the capital, Madrid, and the region of Galicia in the northwest, as well as northern Castile and Leon, for over a week, in addition to destroying several mountain villages.
The recent heatwave, which ended last Monday, lasted 16 days, during which temperatures soared to 44 degrees Celsius in several regions, contributing to the rapid spread of the fires. (end) hnd.bb