Spain is deploying an additional 500 soldiers, bringing the total to over 1,900 troops, to combat widespread wildfires. The northwestern Galicia region faces the most severe threat with 12 major blazes currently active.
The country is experiencing extreme temperatures with forecasts reaching up to 45 degrees Celsius. This has led to an "extreme" danger of wildfires across most of the nation.
Massive destruction across Spain
Fires have consumed 158,000 hectares this year, an area comparable to metropolitan London. Homes in Galicia are under direct threat and evacuations are underway in affected areas.
International assistance is arriving to support Spanish firefighting efforts. Spain is expecting water-dumping planes from the Netherlands, France, and Italy, along with additional firefighters from other countries.
Personal toll of the crisis
The wildfire emergency has claimed lives across the region. Metro reports that former Portuguese mayor Carlos Damaso died while fighting fires, highlighting the personal sacrifice being made in the crisis.
The severe conditions have forced the suspension of Madrid-Galicia high-speed train services. Health advisories have been issued for residents in affected areas as the extreme heat continues.
European-wide emergency
Other European nations including Portugal and Greece are also battling significant fires. Metro reports that 6,290 square kilometres have burned across the EU this year, demonstrating the continent-wide scale of the emergency.
The crisis represents part of a broader European summer wildfire pattern. Weather agencies have issued nationwide high-risk warnings as the extreme conditions persist across the region.
Sources used: "PA Media", "Independent", "Metro" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
