The rising temperatures are hampering efforts to manage 20 significant wildfires across Spain today, prompting the government to deploy an additional 500 troops from the emergency military unit to assist in firefighting operations.
Several fires have merged in Galicia in the northwest of Spain, creating a massive blaze that has led authorities to close highways and suspend rail services to the affected area.
Southern Europe is experiencing one of the most severe wildfire seasons in two decades, with Spain being one of the hardest-hit countries.
Last week alone, the wildfires claimed three lives and scorched more than 115,000 hectares, while neighboring Portugal is also grappling with extensive fires.
The Spanish meteorological agency has forecasted temperatures could reach 45 degrees Celsius in some areas today. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez remarked at a press conference in Orense, one of the regions hit hardest, “There are still some challenging days ahead.” He added, “Unfortunately, the weather is not on our side.”
Sánchez announced an increase in military reinforcements, bringing the total number of deployed troops across Spain to 1,900. Virginia Barcones, the head of emergency services, stated on Spanish television that a decrease in temperatures is expected starting Tuesday.
Data from the Ministry of the Interior indicates that 27 individuals have been arrested and 92 others are under investigation for suspected arson since June.