In the early hours of Tuesday, traditionally marked for years by bonfires in squares and on beaches, much of the country will welcome the night without flames this year. The reason lies in the thermometers: Spain is facing on Tuesday the toughest day of the summer’s first heatwave, with five provinces on red alert and highs reaching 40°C.
The epicentre of the heat is where it would be least expected, in the north of the country. The State Meteorological Agency (source in Spanish) (AEMET) has issued a red warning for inland areas of the Basque Country and Cantabria. In the south, Andalusia is also raising warnings to red level today because of the temperatures, while orange alerts cover around ten regions: the capital, for instance, will hover around 40°C, Andalusia and Extremadura will exceed 42°C and the Ebro corridor will turn into an oven, with temperatures surpassing 41°C from midday. The nights, sweltering too, will offer no respite: it is estimated that night-time temperatures will not drop below 25°C in much of the country.
Extreme risk of wildfires
Beyond the oppressive heat, attention is turning to a now-familiar feature of every summer: wildfires, which are currently keeping Catalonia on edge and placing regions such as Castilla-La Mancha, the Valencian Community and Galicia under an extreme alert.
No bonfires in dozens of towns
The wave of cancellations gathered pace throughout Monday. In Euskadi, the Security Department activated the pre-emergency situation and advised local councils to avoid lighting fires near forested areas. Sopela, Getxo, Barakaldo, Santurtzi, Gernika and Amorebieta are among the municipalities that have cancelled their St John’s Night bonfires.
Not everyone has opted for a complete cancellation. Some mayors, such as Bilbao’s, have sought a middle ground, authorising fires only in urban areas, on concrete and away from vegetation, with firefighters alerted and reinforced safety measures.
The episode, according to meteorologists, is expected to start easing from Thursday, when a flow of cooler air will bring temperatures back to levels more typical of the season.
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