A devastating heatwave sweeping across the Iberian Peninsula has led to severe wildfires in Spain and Portugal, claiming the lives of two firefighters. Both victims died in road accidents while battling the blazes. In Spain, a firefighter was killed when his truck flipped over on a steep forest road in Castile and Leon, northwestern Spain. The vehicle approached the embankment and overturned, falling down a steep slope for reasons yet unknown. This incident brings the death toll in Spain to four since the fires broke out in recent weeks.
The wildfires have ravaged large areas of land in both countries. In Spain, fires have destroyed over 70,000 hectares of land in recent days, accounting for nearly half of the total area burned so far this year. Portugal has also been severely affected, with nearly 185,000 hectares of land destroyed since the start of the year, surpassing the 136,000 hectares burned in the entirety of last year. The fires have prompted both countries to appeal for assistance from the European Union.
Around 2,000 firefighters are deployed across northern and central Portugal, with about half mobilized to combat flames in the town of Arganil. Portugal is expecting the arrival of two water-bombing aircraft to support firefighting teams on the ground. In Spain, emergency services, backed by specialist army units, are battling fires in the northwest and west of the country.
Experts attribute the increase in temperatures and frequency of wildfires to climate change. The Iberian Peninsula has been particularly affected by a succession of heatwaves and droughts, fueling forest fires. Spain is currently in its third week of heatwave alerts, exacerbating the situation. According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), the 2023 fire season was one of the worst in the EU this century, with over 504,002 hectares of land burned.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited one of the affected regions on Sunday, promising a “national pact” to deal with the climate emergency. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed condolences for the firefighters who lost their lives, stating that two colleagues of the deceased firefighter were seriously injured.
The wildfires in Spain and Portugal have resulted in significant loss of life and destruction of land. The death toll currently stands at four in Spain and two in Portugal. Firefighting efforts continue, with both countries working to contain the fires and prevent further devastation. The situation remains dire, and the international community is watching closely as the situation unfolds.
