Spain battles wildfires as 115,000 hectares burn and thousands evacuated

Wildfires raging across Spain have scorched more than 115,000 hectares (about 284,000 acres), killed at least three people and forced thousands to evacuate, as emergency teams struggle to contain dozens of blazes.

The worst-hit areas include the north-western region of Castilla and Leon, where over 20 active fires are burning across Zamora, León, Salamanca and Ávila provinces, according to state broadcaster RTVE. In Galicia, 14 wildfires remain active, with more than 46,000 hectares (about 114,000 acres) affected in Ourense alone.

The Interior Ministry said 19 fires nationwide are currently classified as level 2 severity — the second-highest emergency rating — prompting widespread evacuations, travel disruption and confinement orders for at least 68 people.

In Extremadura, officials warned that the Jarilla fire was “totally out of control” after burning 4,800 hectares and advancing towards the city of Plasencia. Seven other blazes remain active in the region, and authorities have requested military assistance due to what they called the “extreme gravity” of the situation.

The Popular Party has also called on the central government to deploy army resources more broadly. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is due to visit the affected regions of Ourense and León on Sunday to meet emergency responders.

In the Community of Valencia, firefighters have stabilised fires in Teresa de Cofrentes and Xàtiva, while high-speed rail services between Madrid and Galicia have been suspended due to fire activity. In Cáceres province, Segura de Toro municipality has been placed under confinement as flames approached the town limits.

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