Seven people dead as wildfires spread across Spain

WorldEnvironment
15 Aug 2025 • 11:52 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Spanish firefighters are currently battling 14 major wildfires, with authorities warning of "unfavourable conditions" hindering containment efforts.
  • The blazes have already claimed seven lives and devastated over 150,000 hectares of land, marking one of the worst summers for fires in two decades.
  • A prolonged 12-day heatwave and southerly winds are exacerbating the crisis, with extreme fire risk forecast across northern and western Spain.
  • Galicia is severely impacted, experiencing merged fire fronts that have led to significant disruption, including highway and rail closures.
  • Aerial firefighting operations have seen a 50 per cent increase across Spain and Portugal this season compared to 2024.

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