Portugal and Spain are grappling with a major wildfire crisis driven by persistent heatwaves, drought, and powerful winds—marking the most serious outbreak of the summer.
In Portugal, the largest blaze is burning in the mountainous Arouca region, roughly 300 km north of Lisbon. It has forced evacuations and the closure of popular hiking trails like Passadicos do Paiva. Over 800 firefighters and seven water‑bomber aircraft are tackling the flames, though shifting winds continue to hamper containment efforts.
Another fire in Peneda‑Gerês National Park, near the Spanish border, has shrouded communities in smoke and prompted stay‑indoors orders.
Two central Portugal fires have been brought under partial control, but have already scorched approximately 3,000 hectares in Penamacor.
Across Spain, major blazes in Ávila and Cáceres provinces have led to evacuations and widespread crop and land damage. In the municipality of Caminomorisco, the fire has consumed around 2,500 hectares, disrupting local life and livelihoods.
The blaze wave is fueled by an unusually intense summer heatwave sweeping the Iberian Peninsula, causing temperatures to soar beyond 40 °C in many regions. Experts say lowering humidity and ongoing drought have created tinder‑dry forests that easily ignite.
These conditions reflect a warming climate: the EU is observing hotter, longer fire seasons and increasing frequency of extreme weather events.