Spain wildfires kill 21; crews stay on

Spain’s wildfires have burned 275,209 hectares since 1 January and killed 21 people: the country is keeping its summer fire response in place until 31 October. Another 70 people have been injured. Spain’s Integrated Operational Coordination Centre for Forest Fires agreed the extension on Tuesday, 29 September, according to Civil Protection and Emergencies.

Europa Press

Large fires drive the damage

Civil Protection has recorded 8,122 wildfires this year. The area affected is 151% above the average for the past decade. Just 45 large fires account for more than 221,000 hectares — nearly 80% of the total.

High temperatures, dry vegetation and the force of several large fires have made the response harder. Fires have forced precautionary evacuations of nearly 118,000 people. Seventy-seven fires required evacuations, while 68 led to road closures.

Fire crews remain ready

State resources were sent to 538 of the 692 fires reported to Spain’s National Emergency Centre. International help included seven aircraft, 192 firefighters and 49 specialist vehicles from Greece, Italy, Serbia and Turkey.

Fifteen people died in the Los Gallardos fire in Almería province. Corporal Javier García Sancho of Spain’s Military Emergencies Unit also died while fighting a fire at Las Peñas de Riglos in Huesca province.

The extension keeps fire-response resources operating until the risk drops considerably. Civil Protection gave no Mallorca-specific measures in its announcement.

Spain wildfires kill 21; crews stay on until 31 October

Large fires drive the damage

Fire crews remain ready