Necva Tastan Sevinc
30 July 2025•Update: 30 July 2025
ISTANBUL
Portugal and Spain are grappling with multiple wildfires fueled by soaring temperatures, strong winds and dry conditions on Wednesday, as authorities across the Iberian Peninsula warn of extreme fire risks.
Portugal remains on high alert as several wildfires rage across its northern and central regions, El Confidencial reported.
The National Civil Protection Authority said earlier this marked the highest number of fire alerts so far this year, with 132 incidents reported.
Nearly 2,700 firefighters, supported by 29 aerial units, have been deployed to contain the fires, which have forced some evacuations and caused injuries.
Twenty people, including 14 firefighters, were treated by emergency services, although no serious injuries have been reported.
The most serious blazes are concentrated in areas such as Arouca, Penafiel, Ponte de Lima, Penamacor and Ponte da Barca.
Some fires that were previously under control have reignited due to wind gusts and persistent heat, authorities said.
"We are going through a difficult time," Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said during a visit to the Civil Protection Authority’s headquarters. "But our entire system is operational to intervene as quickly as possible."
According to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), the entire country is under a “maximum or very high” fire risk warning.
Provisional data from the Portuguese Forest Institute shows that more than 22,000 hectares have burned since the beginning of 2025.
In Spain, a new fire season is unfolding as temperatures are forecast to reach 40°C this week across the Iberian Peninsula.
The Spanish Agency for Environmental Protection and Natural Resources (Aemet) has issued warnings of high temperatures, rainfall and strong winds that could exacerbate fire conditions.
Avila province is currently among the most affected areas, where a major fire broke out in Cuevas del Valle on Tuesday.
The town of El Arenal has been placed under lockdown, and firefighting efforts have focused on defending the area. The regional government of Castilla y Leon reported that wind gusts have reactivated both flanks of the fire, complicating containment efforts.
As of early Wednesday, 161 soldiers and 59 vehicles, including reinforcements from Leon, were on the ground. Drone reconnaissance and air support are being used to monitor fire spread and direct containment.
In the Caceres region of Las Hurdes, approximately 200 residents were evacuated overnight from several villages, including Cambron, Avellanar and Caminomorisco.
Around 180 emergency personnel, including 105 from the Military Emergency Unit (UME), continue battling the flames.
Meanwhile, the forest fire in Fulleda, Lleida, was brought under control Tuesday night after burning 13.5 hectares.
Authorities confirmed the perimeter remained stable overnight, and 10 ground crews supported by a helicopter remain on site as a precaution.
Across the border, the French region of Bouches-du-Rhône has also declared a very high fire risk.
Meteo France placed the department under orange alert, with access to six forest massifs, including Alpilles and Chambremont, prohibited on Wednesday.
Seven of the nine forest areas in neighboring Var are also under high fire risk, with public access strongly discouraged.
