Translated Article – Serious fires in Spain today,...

Fires are keeping 40 fires active in Spain, 23 of them"particularly worrying," according to the government. Ourense, León, Zamora and Cáceres continue to bear the brunt of the fires, which as of August 10 had burned 138,000 hectares, although the number of hectares consumed in the last week by the devastating wave of fires has not been counted.

According to the European Commission's Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) of Copernicus, the figure could rise to around 300,000 hectares consumed by fire in August alone.

The wave of fires has also left, for now, four fatalities : a 57-year-old firefighter in a fire engine accident while extinguishing a fire in Espinoso de Compludo (León) , as well as two volunteers also in León and another man in Tres Cantos (Madrid) .

Faced with this situation, Spain is going to receive"the largest contingent of international aid in history", according to government sources, through the European Civil Protection Mechanism: this Tuesday a BlackHawk helicopter with a capacity of 3,400 liters arrived from Slovakia to Pinofranqueado (Cáceres) to operate in Jarilla (Cáceres); and another RescEU aircraft will land at the Matacán base (Salamanca) from the Czech Republic to operate between Castile and León and Galicia.

20.23

The fire in Teresa de Cofrentes (Valencia) is under control.

The Firefighters of the Provincial Consortium of Valencia have declared under control this Monday the forest fire that started last Wednesday, as a result of a lightning strike, in the municipality of Teresa de Cofrentes, according to Emergencies 112 GVA on its X account (previously known as Twitter).

The fire, which affected some 540 hectares of land, forced the evacuation of some 15 residents from two districts, who were able to return to their homes on Friday. Emergency management requested the activation of the Military Emergency Unit (UME), which was deactivated on Friday, according to Europa Press.

In total, including provincial, regional and government contingents, around 130 personnel were fighting the fire on the front line along with aerial resources.

20.21

They claim the motor pump in the fatal accident in León"was more than 20 years old."

Unions and workers in the forestry sector have denounced this Monday that the vehicle in which the 57-year-old firefighter from Soria lost his life last night, while working on the fire in Yeres (León)," was more than 20 years old and was not prepared to drive in the mountains."

The deputy mayor of the Soria municipality of Bayubas de Abajo - headquarters of the base where the firefighter worked - Javier Sancho, also linked to the forestry sector, has echoed this complaint, stating that the deceased colleague"was a very experienced driver and controlled these operations, but the fire engine is not prepared for fires of that magnitude in high mountains." Infoma Efe.

20.17

Segovia firefighters join the Ponferrada (León) fires.

The Segovia City Council has ordered the mobilization of six firefighters and material from the Segovia Park for immediate incorporation into the devices fighting the fires declared in Castile and León, specifically in the León area.

The device, which left at 7:00 p.m. this Monday evening from Segovia Park, where they were seen off by the mayor of the city, José Mazarías, is made up of six professional firefighters from the Segovia staff ( a corporal and five firefighters ), along with three vehicles: a 13,000-liter tanker truck, a Toyota Land Cruiser all-terrain vehicle and a Unimog vehicle with a motor pump with a capacity of 3,300 liters.

The vehicles also carry all the necessary personal protective equipment, specialized tools, and communication and lighting equipment, municipal sources told Europa Press.

20.09

A vegetation fire has been brought under control in Coll de l'Alba (Tarragona).

The Fire Brigade of the Generalitat of Catalonia have declared a vegetation fire stabilized in the area of Coll de l'Alba, in Tortosa (Tarragona), apparently caused by a lightning strike.

Twelve ground crews and two aerial vehicles are working to extinguish this fire, which started around six in the evening, as Efe has been able to confirm.

The person who alerted firefighters to the fire said a lightning strike occurred near where the fire started.

20.08

Fifty firefighters from the Balearic Islands will travel to Castile and León.

Fifty firefighters from the Balearic Islands will travel to Castile and León to help extinguish the fires that have been reported in the community for several days.

This decision was made at the contingent's technical coordination meeting held this Monday afternoon at the headquarters of the General Directorate of Emergencies and the Interior of the Government. Europa Press reports.

The Minister of the Presidency, Coordination of Government Action and Local Cooperation, Antònia Maria Estarellas, has announced that the Balearic contingent that will travel to Castilla y León will be made up of 50 firefighters and several vehicles.

The Balearic Islands will not send forest firefighters from the Balearic Institute of Nature (Ibanat) as they consider that the risk of fire in the archipelago, due to high temperatures, remains high, explained Estarellas.

"We are not mobilizing any type of personnel that would diminish our response capacity on the islands," the second vice president of the regional government assured the media.

20.04

Lightning strikes cause four forest fires in the Region of Murcia.

The storm with electrical equipment that has fallen on the area of Vega Alta del Segura and Noroeste this afternoon has caused four forest fires caused by lightning strikes, two of them in Cieza and the other two in Abarán and Moratalla.

Specifically, according to sources from 112, in Cieza the fires are located in the Sierra del Almorchón and in the Paraje de la Herrada. Meanwhile, in Abarán they are located in the Sierra del Oro and in Moratalla in the Sierra de la Puerta. Europa Press reports.

All the Infomur Plan personnel are working on them and are evaluating the necessary means to extinguish them.

19.40

Caution urged in Candeleda (Ávila) due to smoke from the fires in Extremadura

The mayor of the town of Candeleda (Ávila), Carlos Montesino, has sent a message of caution to residents and visitors, whose population has multiplied several times over these days, due to the presence of smoke from the fires in the neighboring community of Extremadura.

This smoke, which has also reached the capital of Avila, located about 100 kilometers away,"can affect health, especially of the most sensitive people," according to the mayor in a notice sent to the people of Candeleda.

Given this situation, the Candeledano City Council recommends reducing outdoor activities; keeping doors and windows closed; and, if you suffer from asthma or respiratory illness, wearing an FFP2 mask if you have to go outside.

Likewise, they are urging"special attention to be paid to children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or heart problems," Efe reports.

19.38

A fire has been declared in Colmenar Viejo in an area adjacent to the fire that devastated Tres Cantos.

For weeks, Spain has been engulfed in flames in what is expected to be the worst year for fires in the last three decades. At 5:30 p.m. on August 18, a fire broke out in the Camino de Valdeolivas area, near the Colmenar Viejo landfill, where smoke filled the horizon and forced residents to remain indoors as a precaution.

A total of 28 fire crews, forestry brigades, forest rangers, and Summa 112 units have been dispatched to the scene. Currently, six aircraft, ten fire engines, three tanker trucks, two bulldozers, five command vehicles, one logistics vehicle, one Advanced Command Post vehicle, and one Summa 112 preventive medical unit are working on the site.

19.36

The fire in Canalejas (León) has already devastated almost 6,000 hectares.

The Castilla y León Government has estimated that the fire declared last Saturday, August 16, in the Leonese town of Canalejas, in the municipality of Almanza (León) , has destroyed 5,900 hectares in a first approximation of the impact of the flames, according to information from the Ministry of the Environment, as confirmed by Europa Press.

This fire, which was upgraded to a Potential Severity Index (PSI) of 2 on the day it started and has forced the evacuation of more than a dozen towns, shows"a significant portion" of the area unaffected.

Nearly fifteen ground vehicles are currently in the area, including two fire engines. The probable cause of the fire is still under investigation.

19.33

The Jarilla fire, the only active fire in Extremadura

The Regional Government of Extremadura announced on Monday that only the Jarilla fire (Cáceres) remains active in the region, while the towns of Hervás, Gargantilla and Rebollar remain under lockdown. The Aliseda fire (Cáceres) has therefore been brought under control. It was restarted in the early hours of Monday and is suspected of being intentional because it had two sources.

19.30

The Civil Guard evacuates isolated houses and buildings due to the Colmenar fire.

The fire that started in Colmenar Viejo this Monday, in an area close to the town's landfill, will force the Civil Guard to evacuate isolated houses and buildings along the path to the fire, although at no time has it been considered to evacuate any urbanization.

Community of Madrid Emergencies 112 has reported this afternoon that the fire started in an area near the landfill and that the Infoma Fire Plan has been declared operational situation 1.

A total of 28 vehicles are working: six aerial vehicles, 10 fire engines, three tanker trucks, two bulldozers, five command vehicles, one logistics vehicle, one Advanced Command Post and SUMMA112 preventive health device.

It's a grass and tree fire in an area near the AVE (high-speed train) tracks and the San Pedro tunnel, but it's not currently affecting rail traffic, Efe reports. 19.18

A seaplane is traveling from Salamanca to the fire in Colmenar Viejo.

A seaplane from the Ministry of Ecological Transition is moving this Monday from Salamanca at the request of the Community of Madrid to contribute to extinguishing the fire in Colmenar Viejo .

According to the Community of Madrid, the Civil Guard has also been ordered to evacuate isolated houses and buildings in the path of the fire, although"at no time has there been any consideration of evacuating any residential areas," Servimedia reports.

19.14

Two helicopters from the Netherlands arrive in León to extinguish the fires.

Two 'Chinook' helicopters from the Netherlands landed this Monday afternoon at the La Virgen del Camino air base, in the province of León , to participate in the extinguishing of the forest fires that are ravaging the country.

These two aircraft arrived today in Castilla y León through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, activated by the Ministry of the Interior, and will operate where their intervention is most urgent, since these helicopters can be equipped with 'Bambi Buckets' water bags, capable of discharging 7,000 liters per flight.

The Government delegate in Castile and León, Nicanor Sen, and the colonel in charge of the La Virgen del Camino Air Base, Óscar Ruiz, were present at the reception of the two aircraft, where Sen expressed his gratitude to the personnel and the Government of the Netherlands"for their efforts in participating in the firefighting operation." Servimedia reports.

19.13

The fire in Alcadozo (Albacete) has been brought under control.

The fire that broke out this Monday in Alcadozo, a municipality in the province of Albacete, was declared under control at 6:23 p.m., according to the Forest Fire Information System (Fidias) of the Ministry of Sustainable Development.

At this time, five ground firefighting vehicles and 23 personnel are working to extinguish a fire that was detected at 2:47 p.m. today by a permanent security guard, Europa Press reports.

15 resources (four aerial and 11 ground) and 71 people have participated in the extinction tasks.

18.52

Air quality in Ourense improves, although it remains"poor."

The smoke and gases from the fires affecting the province of Ourense continue to have consequences on the air quality and, although it has improved compared to the records of the last few hours, two of the measuring stations, Gómez Franqueira (in the city of Ourense) and Laza, offer 'bad' and 'fair' results, respectively.

According to data published by Meteogalicia, the AQI (Air Quality Index) at the capital's station on Monday afternoon showed poor values, due to the average concentration of PM 2.5 microparticles over the previous 24 hours of 26 µg/m3. However, it is true that this particular station routinely shows unfavorable values.

At the Laza station, the index is"fair," with a PM 2.5 concentration of 20 µg/m3; while at the rest of Galicia's stations, air quality is favorable (71.7%) or good (23.9%).

In recent hours, the ICA (Indicators of the Weather Forecast) has been reporting much more unfavorable data. On Sunday afternoon, Meteogalicia recorded poor air quality at stations in the provinces of Ourense, Lugo, and Pontevedra, and even very poor air quality at several locations. Europa Press reports.

18.49

Lightning strikes cause two forest fires in Cieza and one in Abarán (Murcia).

The storm that fell on the area of the Vega Alta del Segura this afternoon caused three forest fires caused by lightning strikes, two of them in Cieza and one in Abarán (Murcia).

Specifically, according to sources from 112, in Cieza the fires are located in the Sierra del Almorchón and in the Paraje de la Herrada. Meanwhile, in Abarán the fires are in the Sierra del Oro. Officers are working to extinguish them in all of them, as Europa Press has been able to confirm.

18.46

Madrid declares Infoma operational situation 1 due to a fire near the Colmenar Viejo landfill.

The Community of Madrid declared this Monday the operational situation 1 of Infoma due to a fire in an area near the Colmenar Viejo landfill.

It's a grass and tree fire in an area near the AVE (High Speed Train) tracks and the San Pedro Tunnel, although"there is no impact on rail traffic," according to the Madrid Regional Government's 112 emergency service.

The Advanced Command Post has been activated at the Tres Cantos fairgrounds and this afternoon 19 crews were working in the area with a bulldozer, six aerial means and 12 ground means.

18.44

A camp with 65 minors evacuated in Doney de la Requejada (Zamora)

A camp with 65 minors and a dozen adults have been evacuated in the Zamora town of Doney de la Requejada due to the fire that broke out last Thursday in the municipality of Porto.

This evacuation is in addition to those established in the towns of Coso, San Ciprián, Cerdillo, Murias, Rábano de Sanabria, San Justo and Barrio de Rábano, according to the Ministry of the Environment.

Likewise, the technical director of extinction in Porto, Miguel García, has reported that, at present, there are two active fronts in the Zamora fire, one in the Porto sector and the other near the Peces lagoon.

In this context, García has regretted that, for the moment, it has not been possible to work with aerial means because"safety has been compromised" due to visibility problems due to smoke and with strong wind gusts of more than 20 kilometers per hour.

The fire is currently at a Potential Severity Index (PSI) of 2, with nearly 80 aircraft and ground resources involved in extinguishing the fire since it began, according to Europa Press.

18.40

Fire consumes a boat in Luarca (Asturias)

A recreational boat caught fire Monday while moored at the port of Luarca, in the Asturian municipality of Valdés (Asturias). Two women were taken to a hospital with burns, according to information from the Asturian Emergency Services (SEPA) consulted by Europa Press.

The incident caused great excitement along the seaside town's promenade, and residents, in addition to firefighters, were also involved in trying to stop the blaze. At 2:34 p.m., the 112 Asturias emergency room received the call alerting them to what was happening. SEPA officers were dispatched to the scene. Local Police officers also responded to the incident.

Firefighters declared the fire extinguished at 3:27 p.m. However, they later returned to the scene after detecting renewed smoke. The women were taken to Jarrio Hospital.

18.19

The Torrente de Cinca fire (Huesca) has been brought under control after burning 7 hectares.

The 'INFOAR' Forest Fire Fighting Operation of the Government of Aragón is working on the extinguishing of a fire declared this Monday, August 18, at around 1:20 p.m., in the municipality of Torrente de Cinca (Huesca), which is already under control after affecting some seven hectares.

INFOAR has deployed two transport and fire-fighting helicopters with their two heli-transport brigades, two ground brigades and two fire engines. Europa Press reports.

18.16

Fire evacuates six villages on Lake Sanabria and confines six others, with more than 8,000 affected.

There are now six towns around Lake Sanabria evacuated this Monday due to the forest fire in Porto (Zamora) while there are another six towns in the area confined and the device prepared in case they have to be evacuated as well.

The fire, which started last Thursday due to lightning during a storm and is out of control and at level two on the Potential Severity Index, is currently the most worrying and the one with the worst development in the province of Zamora.

Among the twelve evacuated or confined towns there are between 7,000 and 8,000 residents and holidaymakers, according to various official sources, who are currently affected by the fire, after another 1,350 residents of Porto returned to their homes this Monday after being evacuated on the day the fire started.

This Monday morning, the campsites and chalets around Lake Sanabria and the towns of San Martín de Castañeda and Vigo de Sanabria were evacuated, and in the early afternoon the towns of Murias, Cerdillo, San Ciprián de Sanabria and Coso were added.

The fire, which first spread through theSierra de Porto, then advanced towards the valleys of Casaio in Ourense and Lake Baña in León, and in recent days has spread eastwards through the natural park of Lake Sanabria , Sierras de Segundera and Porto.

Strong winds from changing directions have caused the fire to advance in this natural area protected by the valleys of Vega de Conde and Vega de Tera, reaching the Ventosa lagoon.

Residents of the evacuated villages have moved to the Benavente Business Center, where the central ward has been prepared with beds and Red Cross personnel and psychologists are available to support the evacuees, as confirmed by Efe.

18.10

A fire was declared in an industrial warehouse in Lliçà de Vall (Barcelona)

The Barcelona Fire Brigade has activated ten units to try to control a fire in an industrial warehouse in the town of Cantallops, in the municipality of Lliçà de Vall (Barcelona), which has caused a large cloud of smoke.

At 5:13 p.m., they received notification of this fire in an industrial warehouse located on Garraf de Cantallops Street, in the municipality of Lliçà de Vall. The 112 emergency line received 147 calls due to the column of smoke, which was very visible in the area, that caused the fire. Efe reports.

18.00

New fire on the Valdeolivas Road (Colmenar Viejo)

The City Council of Colmenar Viejo ( Community of Madrid ) has notified this Monday through the institutional account of the social network X (previously known as Twitter) a new fire located in the area of the Camino de Valdeolivas.

According to the statement released by the city council, air and ground crews have been deployed to the affected area to extinguish the fire.

17.51

A fire has been extinguished in the engine room of a ship in the port of Valencia.

A fire that started in the engine room of a ship at the Transmediterranean Terminal has been extinguished after activating the External Emergency Plan of the Port of Valencia in zero situation.

The fire broke out in the engine room, located in the basement with the exception of two, according to municipal sources, who indicated that there were no one inside initially.

Eight fire crews from Valencia responded to the scene and declared the fire extinguished, Efe reports.

17.45

A fire in the Coto Moreta area of Gérgal (Almería) requires the mobilization of land and air resources.

Personnel from the Andalusia autonomous community's forest fire control operation, the Infoca Plan, have been deployed to the Coto Moreta de Gérgal area (Almería) to put out a fire that broke out in a wooded area at around 3:15 p.m.

According to the device integrated into the Andalusian Emergency Agency (EMA), two semi-heavy helicopters and a cargo plane have been mobilized on the ground to extinguish the flames by air, as Europa Press has been able to confirm.

Likewise, three groups of forest firefighters, two operations technicians, and an environmental agent, as well as a fire engine, have been dispatched to the area. The fire is active and work is underway to stabilize it.

17.43

Alicante adds 21 firefighters to fight the blaze in Castile and León.

A team of 21 firefighters with five vehicles from the Provincial Consortium will travel this Monday to Castilla y León to collaborate in the tasks of extinguishing the serious forest fires that are devastating the region these days.

The operation, which begins this afternoon, will work in coordination with Castilian-Leonese commanders to increase response capacity, reduce the risk of the fire spreading, and protect both the civilian population and the natural environment in the area.

"Once again, the firefighters of the Alicante Provincial Council have demonstrated their generosity, solidarity, and dedication to service," said the president of the provincial institution, Toni Pérez, who highlighted the willingness they have shown to end this tragic situation as quickly as possible.

"We are very proud of all of them, because we know that they are fully committed to extinguishing these fires," he added about a contingent of 21 aid personnel - an officer, a warrant officer, a sergeant, three corporals and 15 firefighters - who will work in 4-hour shifts to ensure the effectiveness and continuity of the service.

In addition, two Mobile Working Day Units, three Heavy Rural Pumps and one Light Tanker Pump will be sent, as well as logistics and communication material.

The president emphasized that the equipment deployed to Castile and León does not affect"in any way" the technical and human response capacity of the Alicante Firefighters Consortium to any emergency that may arise in the province, which is on alert due to high temperatures. Efe reports.

17.41

Protected areas in Asturias, Galicia, Castile and León, and Extremadura severely affected by fires

The forest fires ravaging large areas of Galicia, Asturias, Castilla y León and Extremadura are seriously affecting protected areas of the Natura 2000 Network home to endangered species such as the bear and the capercaillie, as well as the golden and imperial eagles, Egyptian vulture, hen harrier and Mongolian or black vulture.

This is what the environmental organization SEO/BirdLife states in a statement proposing a statewide prevention and restoration strategy based on territorially integrated knowledge and supported by adequate resources, which provides answers to the climate and management challenges that threaten its future. Efe reports.

Spain"must lead by example," because it is not enough to put out the fire; nature must be rebuilt with "clear criteria of ecological connectivity, prioritizing the Natura 2000 Network, native forests, and vulnerable habitats," he concludes.

17.37

18 roads closed by fires, nine of them in Castile and León

A total of 18 roads, all of them secondary, in the provinces of León , Zamora , Palencia , Cáceres , Ourense and Asturias are closed to traffic due to the fires, according to data updated at 5:10 p.m. this Monday by the General Directorate of Traffic.

Of these fifteen, nine are in Castilla y León , and of these six are in the province of León : the N-621 and the regional road LE-2703 as it passes through Portilla de la Reina, in both cases; the CL-626, in Puente Almuhey ; the LE-2711, in Retuerto ; LE-164, in Yebra and LE-5228, in Salas de los Barrios.

In Zamora, two roads are closed, the ZA-103 and ZA-104, at San Martín de Castañeda and Ribadelago, respectively; and in Palancia , the CL-615 at Guardo.

In the province of Cáceres, traffic has been interrupted on the CC-218 road in Casas del Monte and on this same road in Aledeanueva del Camino ; CC-219 in Gargantilla ; CC-224 in Hervás and CC-234 in Valdastillas.

In Ourense, traffic remains closed on the N-5256 in Guimarei-As Estibadas, and on the OU-533 in A Gudiña-Bouza. In Asturias, the CO-4, in Covadonga. Reports Efe.

17.33

The León Provincial Council has set up 75 beds for displaced people with special needs.

The Santa María Madre de la Iglesia Special Education Center ( Cosama i), managed by the León Provincial Council and located in Astorga, has enabled a total of 75 beds for the accommodation of people evacuated from their homes due to forest fires.

The resource is primarily aimed at residents with special needs and who require more individualized care, such as the elderly, people with medical problems, pregnant women and children, and the aim is to ensure that family units remain united, the provincial institution has reported.

On Monday morning, 61 people had arrived at the center, and more are expected to join as the day progresses. They come mainly from Santa Colomba de Somoza, Turienzo, Lucillo, Filiel, Valdemanzanas and Tabladillo, among other towns, as confirmed by Efe.

Meanwhile, firefighters from the León Provincial Council's Fire Prevention, Extinction, and Rescue Service (SEPEIS) continue to work to extinguish the fires affecting the province.

Officers from the Valencia de Don Juan park have acted in Molinaferrera, Maragatería and Chana de Somoza, while officers from the Celada park have collaborated in the defense of the population in Santo Tirso de Cabarcos, a town in the municipality of Sobrado, in the region of El Bierzo.

They are joined by members of a park in Cistierna who are working against the fire in Barniedo de la Reina, in Boca de Huérgano, where they have also tried to stop the advance of the flames by carrying out backfires.

17.24

The N-525 highway is closed at Cualedro (Ourense) due to forest fires.

The N-525 highway was closed to traffic on Monday as it passes through the municipality of Cualedro (Ourense) due to the forest fires affecting the area. According to 112, traffic remains closed between points 177 and 180, within the municipality of Cualedro.

This municipality is being affected by a forest fire that started in two sources, one in Oímbra and the other in Xinzo de Limia. According to the latest estimates, it has already burned around 12,000 hectares and is affecting the municipalities of Monterrei, Verín, Laza and Trasmiras, as well as Cualedro.

Eighteen technicians, 91 officers, 127 brigades, 82 motor pumps, four shovels, five technical support units, 17 helicopters, and 29 aircraft are being mobilized to extinguish the blaze. In addition, personnel from the Military Emergency Unit (UME) are participating. Europa Press reports.

17.20

The fire in Aliseda (Cáceres), whose origin is intentional due to"economic interests," has been brought under control.

The forest fire that broke out in Aliseda (Cáceres), which has destroyed 4,000 hectares and which was"intentional" due to "economic interests", is"under control" and is "evolving favorably", although it could flare up again later in the day, according to the Minister for the Presidency, Interior and Social Dialogue, Abel Bautista.

Speaking to reporters following the meeting of the Integrated Operational Coordination Center (Cecopi), held at the Advanced Command Post (PMA) in the Cáceres town of La Granja, Bautista explained that the fire, which forced the emergency evacuation of several isolated homes last night near the Ecopark, near the N-523 highway (Cáceres-Badajoz), was started intentionally, according to Efe.

"We know the causes, the exact plot of land, and the times at which the two fires started. You have to be absolutely heartless to start two separate fires on the same plot for hunting reasons, which is the reason," he denounced.

The counselor has emphasized that behind this event there are"economic interests," which he has described as a "very serious fact that must be clarified as soon as possible."

17.16

More than 31,100 people have been evicted since August 12.

The Civil Guard and the National Police have evacuated 31,130 people due to the fires that have ravaged the northwest of the country and Extremadura since the pre-emergency was declared on August 12.

These are the figures provided by the Ministry of the Interior following the meeting of the State Coordination Committee (CECOD) to combat fires, chaired by the head of the Executive, Pedro Sánchez, and also attended by the head of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska.

The two state security forces are maintaining their average deployment of recent days, focused on evacuation and confinement missions for populations threatened by the fire. The deployment is made up of 5,000 officers from the Civil Guard, 350 from the National Police, and 200 from Civil Protection, according to Efe.

17.12

Pedro Sánchez will visit Extremadura tomorrow"to learn about the progress of the Jarilla fire in Cáceres."

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, will visit this Tuesday the areas affected by the Jarilla fire (Cáceres)"to learn on the ground" the evolution of the fire that has so far burned 12,000 hectares of land and its perimeter already exceeds 130 kilometers.

This was reported by government sources, and will be Sánchez's third visit to the autonomous communities affected by the fires, after visiting Galicia and Castile and León on Sunday. Europa Press reports.

Currently, 20 aerial resources are fighting the Jarilla fire and efforts are concentrated on its northern flank, which continues to advance and threatens Navaconcejo, Tornavacas, Jerte and Rebollar, although so far the fire has not reached the territory of Castilla y León.

17.04

A firefighter is fighting the flames near Torrente de Cinca (Huesca).

The Forest Fire Fighting Operation ' INFOA R' of the Government of Aragón is working on extinguishing a fire that broke out this Monday, August 18, at around 1:20 p.m., in the municipality of Torrente de Cinca (Huesca).

INFOAR has deployed two transport and fire-fighting helicopters with their two heli-transported brigades, two ground brigades and two fire engines.

Smoke from the fire is visible from the AP2 motorway as it passes through this municipality. The temporary affected area is around seven hectares of grass and scrubland, Europa Press reports.

17.00

31 people arrested and 92 people investigated in connection with the fires that broke out across Spain since June 1.

Agents of the National Police and the Civil Guard have arrested 31 people and 85 more are listed as investigated for their relationship with the origin of the forest fires recorded in Spain since June 1, according to data provided this Monday by the Ministry of the Interior.

In detail, from that date until midnight on Sunday, August 17, the National Police has arrested 9 people and has charged another 7, while the Civil Guard has arrested 22 individuals and another 85 are under investigation.

This represents four more arrests than on Thursday, the last day for which official figures were released; and nine more have been investigated in recent years since that date. No details have been provided on those implicated, whether due to intentional, negligent, or other reasons; or those identified as regionally specific.

The Criminal Code punishes anyone who starts a fire that endangers life or physical integrity with penalties of 10 to 20 years in prison and a fine of 12 to 24 months. If this danger does not exist in forest fires, the penalty is 1 to 5 years and a fine of 12 to 18 months, although it can be increased to 3 to 6 years in prison and a fine of up to 24 months when the fire reaches"particular severity," understood as affecting large areas, causing serious erosion, significantly altering the fauna or flora, damaging protected areas, destroying resources, or having been caused for profit. Europa Press reports.

A riding school in Mos (Pontevedra) is offering 30 stables to house horses from facilities affected by the fires.

The San Cosme riding school, Club Hípico Alazán, has offered this Monday 30 stables to house horses from facilities or homes that have been affected by the fires that are ravaging Galicia and other regions.

The school director, Carlos Domínguez, has offered to provide shelter to animals in need, making 30 stables available at the club, located in Alto de San Cosme, in the municipality of Mos (Pontevedra).

After expressing his support for those affected by the fires and his hope that this tragedy ends as soon as possible, he offered his help for these animals, who"must be fed and cared for as they deserve," Europa Press reports.

16.46

Extremadura confirms that the Aliseda fire was caused"by economic interests."

Northern Extremadura is facing a serious, out-of-control forest fire in Jarilla, Cáceres province, which has already affected more than 130 square kilometers and 11,000 hectares. This emergency has led to the evacuation of a dozen towns and the lockdown of others, affecting thousands of residents and tourists in the area.

Nearby, in Jaraíz de la Vera, the traditional Tobacco and Pepper Festivals, emblematic of the town, were being held these days. Controversy erupted when the council failed to cancel the celebration's fireworks. The close relationship between the fireworks and the serious fires, as shown in the video, has caused outrage.

16.43

The UN says the fires in Spain are"more than a seasonal crisis."

The United Nations has stated that forest fires in Spain are "more than a seasonal crisis" and that these types of extreme fires are a "new normal" due to the effects of heat waves, prolonged droughts, intense winds and dry vegetation.

This was emphasized today in a statement by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), which, on the occasion of World Fire Prevention Day on August 18, outlined a series of recommendations for preventing the fires ravaging Spain and southern Europe.

A total of 344,417 hectares have been burned in Spain in the 224 fires that have occurred this year, according to data collected this Monday by the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).

16.35

The fire near the Huelva water treatment plant has been extinguished.

The fire that broke out near the wastewater treatment plant in the capital of Huelva on Monday morning was extinguished at 1:00 a.m. by the Huelva Municipal Fire Station, according to sources from the City Council who spoke to Europa Press.

Two teams of eight personnel have been working in the affected area. Although the newspaper Huelva24 reported that gusts of wind are hampering firefighting efforts in an area surrounded by grass and bushes, the firefighting process has progressed favorably and no significant damage has been reported.

The City Council has indicated that, at the moment, the causes of this fire in the area of Marismas del Titán, close to the estuary of Rincón, on the outskirts of the urban area of the capital, are unknown.

16.30

Avoiding outdoor physical exertion is advised due to particles from the fires.

The Department of the Environment of the Junta de Castilla y León, given the high concentration of particles due to the forest fires in Valladolid, recommends that the entire population avoid outdoor activities that require physical effort, and asks people in risk groups and those sensitive to air quality to take special protection measures and follow their medication plans.

The Air Quality Control Network of Castilla y León records very high levels of particles throughout the west of the Community and in the province of Valladolid, a direct consequence of the emissions caused by the forest fires in Castilla y León , Galicia and Portugal.

Therefore, the Board recommends taking precautionary measures in the face of very high concentrations of particles, and advises avoiding activities that involve physical effort, especially for people included in risk groups and those sensitive to air quality.

For people with cardiorespiratory conditions or severe allergies, the Board advises avoiding prolonged, vigorous outdoor activities. People with asthma or respiratory conditions should carefully follow their medication plan.

Also, remember that people with heart problems may experience palpitations, difficulty breathing, or unusual fatigue. Given this situation, these especially vulnerable groups are recommended to wear masks or stay home for the duration of this situation.

16.24

Catalonia sends 14 vehicles and 55 firefighters to help extinguish the fire in Jarilla.

The Generalitat Fire Brigade sent a convoy this Monday to help extinguish the fire in Jarilla (Cáceres), consisting of 55 firefighters, 14 vehicles and two aerial vehicles.

In a statement, the Fire Brigade has confirmed that the contingent, which joins the surveillance and attack aircraft sent last Saturday for the active fires in Galicia, left this afternoon from the Lleida Park at the request of the National Emergency Center.

The convoy, which includes a sub-inspector, five corporals, two sergeants, two officers, 43 firefighters and two paramedics, will be complemented by the collaboration of the Forestry Action Group (GRAF), which will analyze the behavior and evolution of the fires to predict the possible formation of pyrocumulus clouds.

The Generalitat Fire Department expects the contingent, whose deployment was announced hours after the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, made a new surveillance and attack aircraft available to the affected communities, to assist in extinguishing the Jarilla fire until next Friday, August 22.

16.19

The bear's habitat will need fifteen years to recover from the ravages of the fire.

The habitat of endangered species, such as the brown bear or the capercaillie, need"between seven and fifteen years" to recover from fires such as those that have caused havoc in the southwestern municipalities of Asturias, which are home to the largest reserve of plantigrade animals in the country.

Asturian wildlife experts, such as biologist Carlos Nores, have confirmed that the brown bear has a certain ability to escape in these types of situations, so the devastation to its population is related to the medium-term loss of the ecosystem in which they find the resources they need to survive.

This was also explained by the founding member of the Fund for the Protection of Wild Animals (FAPAS), Roberto Hartasánchez, who indicated that it will take"many years" until fruit-producing species, such as holm oaks, cherry trees and oaks, once again become a"food refuge" in the affected areas, according to Efe.

16.15

The Jarilla fire has already destroyed more than 12,000 hectares and continues to rage:"This fire is a monster."

The spread of the Jarilla (Cáceres) forest fire continues unabated."This fire is a monster," warned Abel Bautista, the Minister of the Presidency and the Interior of the Regional Government of Extremadura, this morning. With a perimeter of 140 kilometers and more than 12,000 hectares destroyed, the fire was located two kilometers from Castile and León yesterday, although it has not yet entered the region.

This morning, the evacuation of several homes in the Jerte Valley was forced. Specifically, these homes are located on the northern slopes of the municipalities of Navaconcejo, Cabezuela del Valle, Jerte, and Tornavacas, according to the Minister for the Presidency, Interior, and Social Dialogue, Abel Bautista.

16.11

The Camino de Santiago, at risk due to forest fires

The Civil Protection and Emergency Agency of Castilla y León has notified this Monday a call for pilgrims who are making the Camino de Santiago through the area affected by forest fires not to continue with the route.

Specifically, they are referring to the sections that cross Astorga, Ponferrada, Bembibre, and El Bierzo. They are asking that visitors not continue along the route and follow the instructions of the authorities, as Europa Press has been able to confirm.

16.09

Cajamar allocates 20 million euros for those affected by the fires

The financial institution Cajamar has activated a special line of financing under preferential conditions for a total amount of 20 million euros for companies and families affected by the forest fires in various towns in the province of Cádiz and in other areas, as indicated this Monday in a note by the financial institution.

This line, which is also intended for those affected by the fires in Castilla y León, Extremadura, Galicia, Cantabria and Asturias, is focused on advancing insurance compensation and financing for all those families whose properties have been affected, as well as for companies to be able to repair the damage caused by the fire and return to normal as soon as possible. Efe reports.

16.03

66 German firefighters will join the teams extinguishing the Jarilla fire (Cáceres) tonight.

The 66 forest firefighters coming from Germany to combat the Jarilla forest fire (Cáceres), which has already devastated 13,000 hectares, will arrive late Monday in the municipality of Aldeanueva del Camino, about 20 kilometers from the area of the aforementioned fire, according to sources from the Government Delegation in Extremadura.

The German detachment will be located in the municipal offices of the aforementioned town in Cáceres, which has also planned a parking area for the 21 vehicles that accompany these firefighters.

The aid from German troops to the Jarilla forest fire, which has been going on for a week since it started, and which will be joined this Tuesday by the arrival of a helicopter from Slovakia, is part of the activation of the European Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). Efe reports.

15.57

27 French firefighters arrive in León to fight the fires

A device made up of 27 firefighters from France is heading to the province of León to help extinguish the forest fires, as part of the international aid operation sent by the European Union in response to the exceptional situation Spain is experiencing, with devastating fires in Castilla y León, Galicia and Extremadura.

The Burgos Civil Guard Command has reported, via Instagram, the passage through the province of the French fire brigade, a convoy made up of ten vehicles , including four fire-fighting trucks.

They are firefighters from the Southwest Pyrenees-Atlantic Colony and their final destination is León, where they will reinforce emergency services. Officers from the Burgos Traffic Subsector and the Command are guarding their route to ensure the safety of the entire convoy throughout its journey, Efe reports.

15.51

The European Union has coordinated aid from six countries to extinguish fires in Spain.

The European Union has mobilized airplanes, helicopters and equipment on the ground from France, Italy, Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands in the last five days to help combat forest fires in different autonomous communities throughout Spain.

According to a report on Monday from the European Commission's Directorate General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid, Spain has received four aircraft from France and Italy, four helicopters from Slovakia, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands and equipment on the ground from France and Germany, as confirmed by Efe.

The aid from these countries is coordinated by the European Commission through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, which the Spanish Government requested last Wednesday in order to cooperate in extinguishing the fires that are particularly affecting Galicia, Castile and León and Extremadura.

The European Commission has also activated its Copernicus satellite system to help map the land affected by the forest fires raging across Spain, which have already killed three people and burned hundreds of thousands of hectares.

According to data from the European Commission, the European Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated 16 times by different countries during the current fire season, already equaling the number reached during the entire 2024 season.

15.24

Navy personnel strengthen fire surveillance in Ávila and Salamanca.

Since Monday, Navy soldiers have been reinforcing the deterrent surveillance service against forest fires in the province of Ávila and in Salamanca , two provinces that no longer have forest fires at the maximum severity level, but which have suffered fires that have destroyed at least 17,500 hectares (10,500 in Salamanca and another 7,000 in Ávila).

The battalion will consist of two vehicles and ten members who will be"complemented and replaced every 12 hours," with the aim of "maintaining a permanent 24-hour patrol and surveillance service," according to the government's deputy delegate in Ávila, Fernando Galeano, in statements sent to the media. Efe reports.

For a"first period" of ten days, these forces will coordinate with the Civil Guard, with the aim of"maintaining a deterrent surveillance service, very important in a very complicated time of forest fires," Galeano pointed out.

In the case of the province of Salamanca, the sub-delegate, Rosa López, has detailed that seven members of the Cádiz Marine Infantry will be housed in the Ciudad Rodrigo Civil Guard barracks to carry out forest surveillance tasks.

Aerial resources are working to contain the fire threatening the Picos de Europa in León.

Aerial resources are working to stop the fire in Barniedo de la Reina, whose northern flank threatens the León side of the Picos de Europa, although the flames have not advanced towards the Valdeón valley, which had to be evacuated this Sunday, and it is the southern flank in the Tierra de la Reina that is showing the worst progress.

The regional delegate for the regional government in León, Eduardo Diego, explained that in the area of La Reina, firebreaks have been in place in recent hours to defend the towns, which are the priority, and that work will continue primarily with aerial means because these are areas that are difficult to access with patrols and ground brigades. Efe reports.

As for the northern flank,"it has not advanced towards Valdeón, the Panderrueda pass has not had to be closed," he indicated, although yesterday the order was given to evacuate nine towns - where residents who have refused to leave remain - and there is concern about the evolution of the flames in this threat to the Picos de Europa National Park.

Diego, who has highlighted the positive side of the Molezuelas de la Carballeda-Castrocalbón fire's reduction to level 1,"good news" that does not mean that we can relax because we must continue working to prevent regrowth and consolidate its control, has recalled that the evolution of the Yeres-Llamas de la Cabrera fire and its impact on the Camino de Santiago territory are also a cause for concern. Efe reports.

And he hopes that the firebreaks and aerial resources can allow progress to be made in controlling this fire, which has claimed the life of a forest firefighter, who died last night when the fire engine he was driving overturned in Compludo, in an accident in which his colleague was also injured.

15.02

The fire in Resoba (Palencia) has destroyed more than 1,300 hectares and remains at level 1.

The Castilla y León Government has reported that the fire that broke out on Sunday, August 10, in the Palencia town of Resoba, in the municipality of Cervera de Pisuerga (Palencia), has destroyed 1,310 hectares in a first estimate of the impact of the flames, according to information from the Ministry of the Environment.

This fire, which had been upgraded to Potential Severity Index (IGR) 2 on the day it started, is currently at IGR 1 with"a very favorable status, without flames and eliminating hot spots," Europa Press reports.

At this time, more than a dozen ground and air resources are in the area trying to put out the fire, including three fire engines and two helicopters.

14.50

Record amount of burned area: flames have already ravaged nearly 350,000 hectares, with half the number of fires compared to 2022.

Fires have devastated a total of 344,417 hectares in Spain so far in 2025, the equivalent of the entire island of Mallorca, in a total of 224 fires, according to data collected by the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) updated this Monday. This figure represents the highest record since satellite records began using this EU tool (2006). The worst years were 2022, with 306,555 hectares burned and 493 incidents, and 2012, with 189,376 hectares razed and 160 fires. The virulence of these flames means that in just eight months more has burned than in the whole of 2022 and with half as many fires.

The Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (Miteco) published provisional data on the area burned this year up to August 10 on its website early this morning, placing the figure at 138,788 hectares. It follows that 167,000 hectares have burned in the last week alone, when the flames have not given any respite. These fires have not yet been recorded because they have not been extinguished. 14.44

Trains between Madrid and Galicia remain suspended due to the fires.

The high-speed train line between Madrid and Galicia remains suspended this morning due to fires near the tracks that have forced Adif, the public manager of the railway infrastructure, to stop the regular programming of Renfe trains, at least until 5:00 p.m..

In a statement, Renfe explains that traffic will not be reestablished until the competent authorities allow it to do so, although it has scheduled a series of special runs to accommodate passengers with origin or destination in Madrid and Zamora.

Currently, Adif expects the line to remain closed until at least 5:00 p.m., in line with information provided by the Galician emergency services, although the interruption could be longer, according to Europa Press.

Forest fires also affect the León-Monforte de Lemo s (Montefurado-Vilamartín), Zamora-Sanabria (Carbajales-Sarracín de Aliste) and Guardo-Puente Almuhey (León-Palencia) lines of the narrow gauge line.

14.41

The Valencian Community sends more than 130 personnel and fire engines to the fires in Castile and León.

The Valencian Community has mobilized a device made up of around 130 personnel, 13 fire engines, five nurse units, a drone unit, a communication unit, a mechanical unit and a logistics unit to collaborate in the work of extinguishing the fires that affect Castilla y León , specifically the province of León.

This was announced by the Regional Minister of Emergencies and the Interior, Juan Carlos Valderrama, in his statements to the media after holding an extraordinary meeting this Monday with the provincial consortia and municipal SPEIS of the Valencian Community, as well as with the forest firefighters of the Generalitat (Catalan Government). Staff from the Valencian Agency for Security and Emergency Response (AVSRE) and BRIFO brigades are also part of the team. Europa Press reports. 14:35

The Ourense Provincial Council approves 1.2 million euros for fire prevention.

The Ourense Provincial Council approved this Monday in its governing meeting a budget of 1.2 million euros for the purchase of 12 tractors and brush cutters for fire prevention, according to Luis Menor, president of the provincial council, at a press conference, also highlighting that"there are still many things to improve."

Menor pointed out that the agreements discussed "are not the result of improvisation": "We are at a scheduled press conference with files already processed." He emphasized that "it is not a product of the moment," but rather "has been in place for the last three years" and "will continue until all municipalities have this essential equipment."

"Looking to the future, we have to continue improving, and we're going to propose new agreements and new measures to minimize the impact of this fire wave that's causing so much damage in our province," he added. Europa Press reports. 14:33

More than 5,300 evacuees from 76 towns in Castile and León

The spokesperson for the Junta de Castilla y León, Carlos Fernández Carriedo, updated this Monday on the situation of those evacuated due to the forest fires, 5,300 inhabitants of 76 towns in the Community, where there is concern about the refusal of many citizens to leave their towns for fear that the flames will reach them and not be defended by the operation.

In the press conference following the Junta's follow-up meeting on the fires, Carriedo showed understanding with the feelings of these people who refuse to leave their homes, but at the same time called on all citizens to"fully cooperate" with the State Security Forces and Corps and the technicians deployed on the ground, because they are the ones who are aware of the risky situation.

Carriedo said that a total of 140 towns in the provinces of Castile and León have had to evacuate their homes in recent days due to the proximity of the fires, and has therefore called on residents to cooperate with the fire experts and follow their instructions. Efe reports.

He thanked the work of"many volunteers" who, in"good faith," are trying to prevent the flames from reaching their homes, but Carriedo stressed that they become"an element of concern" and an "additional burden" for the members of the operation at a "time of such difficulty." 14:30

The Oímbra brigade members remain hospitalized in serious condition.

Two of the three firefighters injured in Oímbra (Ourense), who suffered burns of varying severity, are recovering well, although all are in serious condition, according to the latest medical report provided by the A Coruña University Hospital (Chuac). Europa Press reports.

All three are in the hospital's Burn Unit. The youngest, aged 18, has third-degree burns affecting 40% of his body. He is suffering from smoke inhalation and is in a stable condition with a very serious prognosis.

The 23-year-old man has second-degree burns affecting 15% of his body. Like the others, he also suffered from smoke inhalation poisoning and is recovering well, but his prognosis is grave.

Finally, the 25-year-old firefighter has second-degree burns affecting 15% of his body. He is in stable condition with a grave prognosis.

Castilla-La Mancha restricts all outdoor activities until Tuesday.

The Government of Castilla-La Mancha decided this Monday to temporarily limit all activities in the natural environment to reduce the risk of forest fires due to the exceptional weather. This temporary restriction will last until next Tuesday, August 19, at 11:59 p.m. (Spanish time).

The Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha publishes this Monday a resolution establishing limitations and temporary measures, as indicated by the Spokesperson, Esther Padilla , who visited the Regional Operational Center for Forest Firefighting (COR) of the Infocam device in Toledo, along with its director Juan José Fernández.

There, he explained that this decision is due to the exceptional weather expected over the next two days,"with high temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius and strong winds, gusting up to 40 km/h and 80-90 km/h from west to east of the region," Europa Press reports.

As Padilla has stressed, the sum of all these factors will increase the risk of forest fires up to extreme levels"Therefore, we have adopted preventive measures aimed at reducing the risk of ignition in the natural environment."

14.16

More than a hundred people are confined in three residences in Rubiá and Carballeda de Avia (Ourense)

More than 120 people remain preventively confined in nursing homes. Blonde and Carballeda de Avia, in Ourense. This is one of the citizen protection measures that remain in effect in the areas affected by forest fires in the province, where alert status 2 remains in effect.

Specifically, they are 70 people confined in Blonde and others 56 in two centers of Carballeda According to the Ministry of Social Policy, all the people evacuated in recent days are now back in their centers of origin, according to Europa Press.

14.11

The Galician People's Party (PP) distances itself from political"provocations."

The president of the Xunta and leader of the Galician PP, Alfonso Rueda , stated this Monday that this is not the time for"provocations" between administrations, and therefore believes it is correct that his party deleted a message written on the social network. X (formerly known as Twitter ) from the Galician Popular Party account against the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez.

On Sunday, following the joint appearance by Rueda and Sánchez, the Galician People's Party (PP) published a tweet showing the president of the Xunta (regional government)—in the foreground—wearing the reflective vest used by members of the administration when visiting fires, and, in the background, the head of the state government wearing a shirt.

The image, corresponding to the joint appearance at the Firefighting Operational Coordination Center in Ourense, was accompanied by the message"One image. Two presidents: One in charge, the other merely in office." The message has been deleted from the official account of the Galician People's Party.

The president of the Xunta and leader of the PP in the Community has revealed that he was not aware of this message until after it was deleted and has considered that, in any case,"it is well removed".

Rueda said that it was not the time to confront and explained that"there were probably many things that some people expected me to say to the President of the Government and that probably in another context would be quite appropriate" regarding the "presences or the speed of support However, he has chosen not to make any accusations, understanding that"this is not the time for that" and "much less for expressing it," Efe reports.

14:02

Spain will reach almost 350,000 hectares burned by 2025

A total of 344,417 hectares have burned in Spain in the 224 fires that have occurred this year, according to data collected by the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) of Copernicus, updated this Monday.

The latest information from this tool, from the Copernicus program, for Earth observation and monitoring of the European Union, published on August 14, gave the figure of 148,205 hectares burned, so it can be deduced that the EFFIS satellites have assessed that the national burned surface These last four days have been more than 200,000 hectares , reports Efe.

The Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (Miteco) published provisional land area data for this year through August 10 on its website early this morning, placing the figure at 138,788 hectares.

According to the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (MITECO), the information reported by the autonomous communities does not include the area covered by the large fires that occurred in the last week, as they had not been extinguished as of the date of publication of the report.

1:50 PM

Valencia sends 134 firefighters, around twenty vehicles, and drones to Castile and León.

The Valencian Community will send a group of 134 firefighters this Monday afternoon, along with around twenty vehicles and a drone unit, to help extinguish the forest fires ravaging Castile and León, Efe reports.

According to the Valencian Government's Minister of Emergencies, Juan Carlos Valderrama, the team will be tasked with 13 fire engines, five tanker trucks, one drone unit, one communications unit, one mechanical unit, and one logistics unit.

The unit will be made up of firefighters from provincial consortiums and forest firefighters from the Generalitat (Catalan government), and is expected to be ready for the firefighting operation early Tuesday morning.

1:30 PM

The Aliseda fire (Cáceres) is"under control"

The forest fire that broke out in Aliseda (Cáceres), which has destroyed 4,000 hectares and spread widely on Sunday night, was"intentionally started," is "under control," and is "evolving favorably," said the Minister of the Presidency, Interior, and Social Dialogue, Abel Bautista. He indicated that it could flare up again in some areas during the day on Monday, according to reports. David Vigario .

The fire last night forced the emergency evacuation of several isolated homes near the Ecopark, near the N-523 highway (Cáceres-Badajoz), and was started"intentionally," he said.

"We know the causes, the exact plot of land, and the times at which the two fires started. It would take absolute heartlessness to start two separate fires on the same plot for hunting, which is the reason," he denounced.

13:15

Spain receives"the largest contingent of international aid in history" to fight the wildfires

The Director General of Civil Protection, Virginia Barcones, explained in a press conference after the meeting on the development of the State Committee for Coordination and Direction (Cecod) against forest fires that"the largest contingent of international aid in history" is arriving in Spain, reports Olga R. Sanmartín .

The countries that have contributed resources are: France (with two Canadairs that operated on Thursday and Friday in Galicia) and two teams with 100 forest firefighters that are arriving in Spain and will work on the fires in León and Orense). Italy (with 2 Canadairs with capacity up to 5,500 liters operating since Wednesday in León), Netherlands (with two Chinook helicopters carrying up to 7,000 liters of cargo that will land this Monday at the León base), Slovakia (with a Black Hawk helicopter of up to 3,500 liters that will help with the fire in Cáceres), the Czech Republic (with a helicopter that will land this Tuesday at the Matacán base and will join the fires in Galicia and Castilla y León), Germany (with a team of 66 firefighters with 21 vehicles arriving today in Cáceres) and Finland (with 30 firefighters for the fires in Galicia).

12:55

The risk of forest fires has reached extreme levels in much of Castilla-La Mancha.

The risk of forest fires has been raised to extreme in much of Castilla-La Mancha for the next 48 hours. Therefore, among other measures, lighting fires in the wild or recreational areas, agricultural burning, the use of machinery that generates sparks, and throwing burning objects are prohibited.

This was stated by the Castilla-La Mancha Forest Fire Plan (Infocam) on its social media channels, consulted by EFE, where it also recommended avoiding risky situations and reckless behavior, taking extreme precautions in the mountains and countryside, and calling the 112 Emergency Service if smoke is seen.

12:53

Press conference on the latest news on the fires in Spain

Follow the appearance of the Director General of Civil Protection and Emergencies and the head of production at AEMET to report on the CECOD meeting against fires in Spain.

12:44

Fear that the Jarilla fire has reached Salamanca

The fire situation in Salamanca has improved in El Payo, Cipérez, and La Alberca, although the one that started in Jarilla, Cáceres province, may have already entered the gorges area in Candelario, as the head of the Salamanca command center, Urko Bondía, indicated this Monday.

To determine how the fire that started in this northern part of Extremadura will affect the provinces of Salamanca and Ávila, Bondía stated during the appearance that a reconnaissance flight will be conducted, as this is the most problematic fire currently affecting Castile and León, both in the provinces of Salamanca and Ávila.

"We are assessing the area to see if Operation Infocal could intervene. We are sending resources to the area, we are going to conduct a reconnaissance flight, and based on what our colleagues tell us, we will assess possible actions," Bondía said in statements reported by Europa Press.

12:40

Spain is battling 40 active fires, of which"23 are particularly worrying."

Third Vice President and Minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Sara Aagesen, has confirmed that there are currently 40 active fires, of which"23 are particularly worrying."

The latest data show that this summer's fires have burned a total of 138,000 hectares, according to figures collected through the 10th, which do not include the most recent incidents.

"This is a worrying fact," the minister stated, predicting that"the coming days will surely be worse." She insisted on defending the need for a state pact "in response to the climate emergency" because "these fires are not isolated events; they are events that come hand in hand with climate change."

12:20

They are preparing to evacuate 12 villages on Lake Sanabria, with 8,000 residents.

The dozen towns around Lake Sanabria, in the province of Zamora, are preparing for a possible evacuation due to the fire in Porto This will affect approximately 8,000 residents of the area and they have been informed through the emergency mobile phone mass communications system. Es-Alert.

Preparations for the evacuation of the local villages and the confinement of homes until the fires advance through the mountains toward the Tera River canyon coincide this Monday morning with the relocation of the approximately 1,350 residents and vacationers of Porto who had been displaced from their homes since last Thursday due to the forest fire.

The evacuation began at the existing campsite near Sanabria Lake, where there were about 40 people who have since been forced to leave.

The localities that have been asked to prepare for a foreseeable evacuation are: Galende, San Martín de Castañeda, Vigo de Sanabria, Murias, San Ciprián de Sanabria, Coso, Cerdillo, Trefacio, Pedrazales, Quintana de Sanabria, Ribadelago Viejo and Ribadelago Nuevo.

The ZA-103 highway, which provides access to Sanabria Lake, remains closed from the entrance to the Sanabria Lake Park House in Rabanillo.

The lack of alternative access to Sanabria Lake has led to the closure of traffic on that road and preparations for a possible evacuation, motivated by the complicated situation of the Porto fire, aggravated by the wind. EFE

12:00

The Jarilla fire"is a monster"

The Minister of the Presidency and Interior of the Regional Government of Extremadura, Abel Bautista , has reported that, in total, the fires in Extremadura have burned in recent days 30,000 hectares over an area of 315 kilometers The Jarilla (Cáceres) fire, which is the most worrying at the moment as it is"out of control", has already affected more than 12,000 hectares and is approaching 140 kilometers in perimeter, reports David Vigario.

At this time, 20 aircraft are working in this area, according to Bautista, especially in the northern section of the mountain."We are especially concerned about the population of Rebollar," the Extremaduran councilor indicated, and work is being done to prevent the flames from reaching the town center, once the residents have already been evacuated, and also from spreading towards Jerte (specifically Rebollar, Jerte and Tornavacas):"This fire is a monster," he warned.

11:27

The Generalitat offers a new plane to the communities affected by the fires

The President of the Generalitat (Catalan Government), Salvador Illa, has made available to the autonomous communities affected by the fires a new surveillance and attack aircraft (AVA), a bomber, two mobile firefighter columns, and Mossos d'Esquadra aircraft.

These new resources are in addition to the aircraft the Generalitat (Generalitat) sent to Ourense last Saturday to fight the forest fires affecting the province.

In a message on X, Illa expressed his condolences to the family and friends of the forest firefighter who died yesterday in León when the fire engine he was driving overturned.

"All our solidarity and support goes out to those affected. We continue to closely monitor the situation in Catalonia. Please exercise extreme caution," the Catalan president stated.

11:20

Trains between Madrid and Galicia remain suspended until at least 5:00 p.m.

The high-speed train line between Madrid and Galicia remains suspended this morning due to fires near the tracks, which have forced Adif, the public rail infrastructure manager, to suspend the regular Renfe train schedule until at least 5:00 p.m.

In a statement, Renfe explains that service will not resume until the relevant authorities authorize it, although it has scheduled a series of special services to accommodate passengers originating in or arriving in Madrid and Zamora.

11:10

UME units use technical fire in the Larouco fire (Ourense) to protect two villages.

Units from the 5th Emergency Intervention Battalion (BIEM) of the Military Emergency Unit (UME) used technical fire to defend two population centers in the fire that started in the Ourense town of Larouco, Europa Press reports.

Specifically, these are the cores of Porto and Real , in the Valdeorras area, in Blonde The UME troops carried out a direct attack on the flames, using a controlled burn to combat them.

This fire has been active since 18:55 last Wednesday and, according to the latest information provided by the Consellería do Medio Rural, it has already burned around 15,000 hectares in Galician territory, in the municipality of Larouco and in those of Petín , Quiroga , To the Street , Vilarmartín de Valdeorras, Rubiá and O Barco de Valdeorras.

A total of 27 technicians, 84 officers, 110 brigades, 94 motor pumps, 10 shovels, two technical support units, nine helicopters, and nine airplanes, in addition to UME personnel, have been mobilized to extinguish the fire.

10:43

Three of the six injured in Zamora and León remain critical and another three are in serious condition.

Three of the six people injured in the fires in León and Zamora who remain hospitalized are in critical condition, while the other six are in serious condition, sources from the Castile and León Regional Government have told Europa Press.

Specifically, regarding the situation of the five injured patients treated at the Río Hortega University Hospital in Valladolid since last Thursday, three of them remain in critical but stable condition, one is stable but serious, while the fifth is in serious condition but progressing well.

In critical but stable condition are a 56-year-old woman with 48 percent burns, a 36-year-old man with burns over 50 percent of his body, and a 64-year-old man with 35 percent burns.

Meanwhile, an 80-year-old man with burns covering 15 percent of his body remains in serious condition but is progressing favorably, and a 77-year-old woman with 10 percent of her body burned is in serious condition but is progressing well, according to the same sources.

Regarding the injured person admitted to Getafe University Hospital, the Community of Madrid reports that the patient is in stable, but critical condition. He is intubated and has burns covering 23 percent of his body.