Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a civil protection emergency on Tuesday in response to the catastrophic wildfires sweeping across the country, marking 2025 as one of the most destructive fire seasons in recent history.

The declaration came during a visit to a firefighting command post in Cáceres, southwestern Spain, one of the hardest-hit regions alongside Galicia and Castilla-León in the northwest.

Describing the situation as “a calamity,” Sánchez vowed comprehensive government support, including financial compensation for those who have lost homes, livelihoods, and property. According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), more than 382,000 hectares have been scorched in Spain this year, with over 300,000 hectares destroyed in the past two weeks alone, surpassing the total area burned in 2024.

Regional emergency services reported that four people have died in August due to the fires, and over 30,000 residents have been evacuated from high-risk areas. Firefighting efforts have been hampered by extreme heat, strong winds, and prolonged drought conditions, particularly in Cáceres, where flames have encroached on rural communities and forced temporary highway closures.

As of August 20, 2025, Spanish authorities confirmed that 12 large fires remain active across the country, with 2,500 firefighters, supported by aerial units, battling to contain the blazes. The government has deployed additional military personnel and requested assistance from the European Union’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service to enhance satellite monitoring and resource coordination.

Sánchez emphasized the urgent need to address climate change, which he identified as the root cause of the escalating wildfire crisis. “We cannot limit ourselves to reacting when fires start. We must prepare the ground so that when they break out, the damage is reduced,” he stated, advocating for stronger prevention measures, including forest management and climate adaptation policies.

The Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) forecasts continued high temperatures and low rainfall through late August, raising concerns about further fire outbreaks. Environmental experts warn that Spain’s Mediterranean climate, combined with global warming, is creating longer and more intense fire seasons. The government is now fast-tracking reforestation plans and investing €2.5 billion in rural fire prevention programs, though critics argue that more immediate action is needed to protect vulnerable communities.

As the nation grapples with the ongoing crisis, Sánchez called for solidarity, urging citizens to follow evacuation orders and support firefighting efforts. “We are facing an unprecedented challenge, but we will overcome it together,” he said. (ILKHA)