A massive wildfire in central Spain has ravaged more than 500 hectares of forest and shrubland, local authorities confirmed on Monday, raising new concerns about the country’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather.
“The situation is not encouraging,” said Ángel Iglesias, technical director of the fire brigade in Mombeltrán, a town located about 95 kilometers west of Madrid.
Firefighters have been battling the flames since they broke out on Sunday evening, using aircraft and helicopters, while ground crews worked to establish firebreaks to halt further spread. However, strong winds have continued to fan the blaze, with flames reaching several meters high.
“There’s a lot of dry vegetation feeding the fire in this mountainous terrain,” Iglesias added.
Tragically, Spain’s Civil Protection Service reported that a firefighter lost his life en route to the scene when his vehicle veered off the road.
The affected area had only recently recovered from a devastating forest fire in 2009.
Experts warn that insufficient forest maintenance and excessive rainfall earlier this year—which led to rapid vegetation growth—have left vast areas vulnerable. That vegetation has now dried out under recent heatwaves, creating ideal wildfire conditions.
“Over the last 50 years, forested areas have increased by around 20% due to the abandonment of farmland,” noted forestry expert Rosendo Castello, suggesting that unmanaged vegetation is contributing to the intensity of current wildfires.
