Spain wildfires spread to southern mountains as 27 arrested

WorldEnvironment
18 Aug 2025 • 4:49 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

image is not available

  • Raging wildfires in Spain have spread to the southern Picos de Europa mountain range, affecting Galicia and Castile and León.
  • Around 20 blazes have devastated over 115,000 hectares in the past week, leading to the closure of a section of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route and disruptions to highways and rail.
  • Four firefighters have died battling the fires, and the Spanish army has deployed 1,900 troops to assist.
  • The fires are intensified by a severe 16-day heatwave, with temperatures reaching 45C.
  • Authorities have arrested 27 people and are investigating 92 others for suspected arson, as Southern Europe experiences one of its worst wildfire seasons in two decades.

IN FULL