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July 20, 2026
By EurActiv
By Emma Pirnay
Key Takeaways:
No casualties have been reported so far, but the fires have damaged natural parks and prompted statements from Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who linked the blazes to the climate emergency and praised emergency responders.
The incidents come amid a broader European context of worsening wildfire seasons driven by climate change, with the EU preparing an adaptation plan and noting record burned areas in previous years.
(EurActiv) — Several wildfires have scorched tens of thousands of hectares of land across central and northern areas of Spain, forcing hundreds of evacuations.
A wildfire raging 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of Madrid has spread, burning more than 13,000 hectares and forcing several hundred people to evacuate, local authorities announced on Sunday.
The fire that started on Thursday in Guadalajara province, which includes the Sierra Norte Natural Park, has not caused any casualties so far but has been described as “difficult” by regional president Emiliano García-Page and local authorities on X.
Another, located near Orés in Zaragoza province, has burned approximately 15,400 hectares.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on X that he was “closely following the evolution of the Guadalajara fire” and was in “full recognition to those working tirelessly to protect lives and contain the fire.”
“Denying the climate emergency does not make it disappear. It only makes us more vulnerable,” he added.
The effects of wildfires are not immediately apparent. Small airborne particles (PM2.5) in wildfire smoke increase the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular disease, especially for the elderly, vulnerable groups and outdoor workers.
The EU is getting ready to present a climate adaptation plan by the end of year, including better preparation ahead of wildfire season, which is getting longer.
Crisis commissioner Hadja Lahbib said in early July that last year saw the “highest ever recorded” hectares burned, around one million, which triggered 19 requests for assistance through the EU’s Union Civil Protection Mechanism.
“This year, the wildfire season started unusually early,” she said.
It’s not the only incident this week. In France, Fontainebleau, a major forest and biodiversity hotspot south of Paris, was scorched by fires that have been contained since Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Greece is bracing for its first heatwave of the year.
Scientists say human-driven climate change is increasing the length, intensity and frequency of heatwaves, which dry out vegetation and contribute to the likelihood of wildfires.
Major wildfires continue as Spain's burned area reaches 70,000 hectares this year
The La Mierla wildfire has scorched nearly 13,000 hectares and forced the evacuation of 16 villages in central Spain. Another 15,400 hectares have burned near Orés in northeastern Spain, bringing the country's wildfire toll to around 70,000 hectares this year.
Two major wildfires remain active in north-eastern and central Spain, with emergency services focusing on a blaze near La Mierla in Guadalajara province and another near Orés in Zaragoza province. Together, they are already among the country’s most destructive fires this year.
The fire near La Mierla, around 100 kilometres north-east of Madrid, began on Thursday and has burned almost 13,000 hectares, according to the latest official figures.
During the early hours of Sunday, firefighters concentrated on two areas. Crews directly attacked the southern edge of the blaze near Gascueña de Bornova, while others worked to protect the villages of Navas de Jadraque and Bustares.
Authorities have now evacuated 16 villages and surrounding areas, including communities near the Beleña reservoir.
Officials in the Castilla-La Mancha region said the fire was displaying extreme behaviour, driven by strong south-westerly winds. They said the flames were advancing at more than 60 metres per minute, well above the level at which a wildfire is considered difficult to bring under control.
Spain’s Civil Guard is investigating the cause. Authorities believe the fire may have started during agricultural work involving a combine harvester.
Second wildfire grows as Spain's devastating fire season worsens
Meanwhile, the wildfire near Orés in Spain's north-eastern Zaragoza province has burned more than 15,400 hectares. Fire officials said the blaze showed favourable behaviour overnight, allowing crews to deploy additional aircraft and ground teams as weather conditions were expected to be less severe than in recent days.
The villages of Orés, Asín, Luesia, Malpica de Arba and Uncastillo remain under evacuation orders, while residents in Sos del Rey Católico, Navardún, Urriés and Castiliscar have been placed on alert.
Around 450 firefighters and emergency personnel are involved in the operation, closely monitoring changing winds to prevent flare-ups and protect nearby communities and the Sierra de Santo Domingo natural area.
Aragón's 112 emergency service also dismissed online rumours that tractors were needed to help tackle the Orés wildfire, saying the claims were false.
The two blazes are part of what has become one of Spain's most severe wildfire seasons in recent years. Around 70,000 hectares have burned across the country so far this year, with authorities recording 18 major wildfires, almost three times the area affected during the same period in 2025.
Several other fires remain active. In the northern province of Huesca, firefighters continue to battle a blaze near the town of Plan, although its spread slowed overnight. Another wildfire near Fiscal has been largely stabilised.
In southern Spain, firefighters are also tackling blazes near Laujar de Andarax, in Almería province, and Purullena, in Granada province, with officials reporting favourable progress at the latter.
Elsewhere, residents evacuated from the village of Árchez in Málaga province have been allowed to return home after a nearby wildfire was stabilised. Authorities in the Madrid region have also brought a wildfire near Lozoyuela under control after it burned more than 700 hectares.
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