Spain and Portugal Battle Deadly Wildfires Amid Extreme Heatwave

Southern Europe Burns Under Relentless Heat as Spain and Portugal Battle Unprecedented Wildfires

Southern Europe is currently facing one of the most severe climate emergencies in recent memory, as a combination of record-breaking heatwaves and rapidly spreading wildfires wreak havoc across Spain and Portugal. According to the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), over a quarter of the country’s weather stations recorded temperatures above 40°C (104°F) on Sunday, with a scorching peak of 45.8°C (114.4°F) registered in Cádiz.

Despite a slight cooling trend forecast for some regions, the risk of wildfires remains extreme, with large swaths of southern and eastern Spain still under high fire danger warnings. Authorities continue to urge residents to exercise extreme caution, especially in areas prone to drought and forest fires.

Spain Declares Climate Emergency Pact Amid Escalating Disaster

As wildfires rage and communities face evacuation, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited affected regions including Ourense and León, areas severely impacted by flames and smoke. He proposed a national climate pact, emphasizing the urgency of setting aside political divisions to address the worsening climate crisis in Spain.

“We need a unified strategy that delivers a safer, fairer, and more resilient future for all Spaniards,” Sánchez stated. “Climate change is not a partisan issue—it demands evidence-based action and national cooperation.”

However, the proposal was met with skepticism and sharp criticism from the opposition People’s Party (PP). Spokesperson Ester Muñoz accused Sánchez of using the climate pact as a political distraction, claiming, “State pacts don’t extinguish fires or recover lost homes.”

Wildfire Death Toll Rises as Emergency Services Struggle

Spain’s wildfire emergency turned deadly once again after a firefighting truck overturned on a steep road, killing a fourth responder. In Portugal, which is also battling multiple wildfires amidst extreme temperatures, another firefighter lost their life over the weekend, raising the combined death toll to six in the Iberian Peninsula.

To reinforce firefighting efforts, the Spanish government deployed an additional 500 military personnel, adding to the 1,400 troops already battling blazes on the frontlines. Meanwhile, Portugal extended its nationwide wildfire alert through Tuesday night as conditions remain volatile.

EU Support and International Firefighting Collaboration

With more than 530,000 hectares burned across Europe so far in 2025—more than double the annual average over the past two decades—countries including Spain, Portugal, and Bulgaria have activated the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism. In response, Portugal requested four Canadair water-bombing planes to bolster its firefighting fleet.

The escalating crisis highlights how climate-driven natural disasters are increasingly overwhelming national resources and necessitating cross-border emergency cooperation.

Extreme Heatwave Shatters Records Across Europe

The historic European heatwave of August 2025 has shattered local and national temperature records in multiple countries. Although Météo France reported a modest decline in temperatures over the weekend, it warned that wildfire risks remain critically high, particularly in the drought-stricken southern and southwestern regions.

“Much of the vegetation is dangerously dry and flammable due to long-term drought conditions,” said a Météo France spokesperson. “This means even a small ignition can spark a large-scale wildfire.”

Portugal’s Political Fallout Over Fire Response

In Portugal, where widespread fires have triggered evacuations and injuries, Internal Affairs Minister Maria Lúcia Amaral extended the country’s fire alert—but abruptly left a press conference when reporters pressed for answers about government preparedness. This move sparked political outrage.

Far-right Chega party leader André Ventura demanded her resignation, stating:

“We are reaching the limit of what is acceptable. The government must be held accountable for this mismanagement.”

Spanish Military Says Conditions Are “Unprecedented”

Spain’s Defence Minister, Margarita Robles, emphasized that the current fire crisis is unlike anything seen before. Speaking to Cadena SER radio, she explained that the Military Emergencies Unit (UME)—formed specifically to manage national disasters—had never experienced a situation of such scale and intensity.

“These wildfires behave differently because of climate change. The UME is facing conditions it has not encountered in its 20-year history,” Robles said.

Climate Crisis at the Core: The Bigger Picture

Experts are pointing to climate change as the primary driver behind the intensifying wildfires and heatwaves across southern Europe. Carbon pollution, prolonged droughts, and shifts in atmospheric patterns are making wildfire seasons longer, more destructive, and harder to predict.

The situation has reignited debates around Europe’s climate policies, especially as several countries are rolling back green initiatives amidst political pressure. Scientists warn that without urgent climate adaptation strategies, such crises will only worsen in the years ahead.