Wildfires in Spain have escalated significantly, leading to the closure of part of the renowned Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. The fires, which have spread to the southern slopes of the Picos de Europa mountain range, are fueled by a relentless heatwave that has lasted for 16 days, devastating over 115,000 hectares across the regions of Galicia and Castile and Leon.
Approximately 20 wildfires are currently active, prompting urgent responses from authorities. In a statement to radio station Cadena SER, Defence Minister Margarita Robles emphasized the unprecedented nature of the situation, noting, “This is a fire situation we haven’t experienced in 20 years.” She attributed the intensity of the fires to the impacts of climate change and the severe heatwave affecting the region.
The Spanish government has mobilized around 1,900 troops from the army to assist local firefighters. As a result of the chaos, highways and rail services have been disrupted, with the Camino de Santiago hiking route closed between the towns of Astorga and Ponferrada, which are located about 50 kilometers apart. Authorities have advised hikers to “not put lives in danger.”
Tragedy has struck amidst the firefighting efforts, with the death of a firefighter whose truck crashed on a forest path near the village of Espinoso de Compludo. In total, four firefighters have lost their lives in these catastrophic events. Additionally, the interior ministry has reported that 27 individuals have been arrested, while another 92 are under investigation for suspected arson since June.
Southern Europe is grappling with one of the most severe wildfire seasons in two decades, with Spain being one of the hardest-hit nations. In neighboring Portugal, wildfires have consumed 155,000 hectares thus far in 2025, which is three times the average for this time of year based on data from the Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas (ICNF). Alarmingly, about half of that area burned within the last three days alone.
Minister Robles indicated that conditions may not improve until the current heatwave, which has seen temperatures rise to 45°C, begins to ease, expected by Monday evening or Tuesday. This heatwave is recorded as the third-hottest since tracking began in 1975. Most of Spain remains under wildfire warnings as the country continues to battle these devastating fires.
The situation underscores the increasing threat posed by climate change, as Spain and other southern European nations face more frequent and severe wildfire seasons.
