Spain expands military wildfire response
National news reports said Spain has deployed 500 additional soldiers to fight wildfires, bringing the total to 1,900 military personnel.
According to AP News, Reuters and Sky News, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed the new deployment as Spain battles 14 major blazes across Galicia, Castile and Leon, and Extremadura.
Regional authorities in Galicia reported homes under threat, evacuations in progress and major road and rail closures.
Spain’s weather agency AEMET forecast temperatures up to 45C, warning of “extreme” risk conditions across much of the country.
The European Forest Fire Information System said 158,000 hectares have burned in Spain this year, nearly double the average and an area comparable to metropolitan London.
International reinforcements sent to Iberian Peninsula
Virginia Barcones, head of Spain’s Civil Protection Agency, told RTVE that Dutch firefighting planes are joining aircraft already provided by France and Italy.
National news reports said reinforcements from other EU member states are expected in the coming days.
The Civil Protection Agency added that international crews will help stabilise fires in Galicia and Zamora province.
Rail operator Renfe suspended high-speed trains between Madrid and Galicia, while authorities urged residents to wear masks to guard against heavy smoke.
Portugal’s Civil Protection Agency reported more than 4,000 firefighters supported by 17 aircraft are engaged in operations across the country.
The Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests estimated 139,000 hectares burned in Portugal this year, 17 times higher than the same period in 2024.
Turkish fires threaten Gallipoli peninsula
National news reports said Turkey has recorded 19 wildfire deaths since June and evacuated six villages in Çanakkale province.
Governor Omer Toraman confirmed evacuations as 1,300 personnel and 30 aircraft fought fires close to the Gallipoli peninsula.
Visitor facilities and cemeteries linked to the First World War campaign were closed as flames advanced.
The Directorate of Forestry said hundreds of fires have occurred across Turkey this summer due to heat, wind and drought.
Authorities said the number and intensity of incidents are the highest in years.
Major incidents in Castile and Leon and Extremadura
National news reports said one of Spain’s largest recorded wildfires, near Molezuelas de la Carballeda in Castile and Leon, spread at 4,000 hectares per hour before slowing.
In Extremadura, a blaze near Badajoz consumed 2,500 hectares within hours before being contained, according to government delegate José Luis Quintana.
The fires caused extensive road closures during peak holiday travel.
Police said arrests have been made for breaches of fire restrictions and suspected arson, including in Ourense and Costa da Morte.
According to the EU’s fire service, more than 157,000 hectares have burned in Spain this year.
In Portugal, five major fires remain active, including one near Trancoso that has burned for six days.
EU Civil Protection Mechanism activated
According to the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), Spain activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for forest fires for the first time in August.
Two rescEU planes based in France were deployed to assist.
Greece activated the mechanism on 12 August, with Swedish aircraft and firefighters from Czechia, Moldova and Romania sent to support operations.
Bulgaria received air support from six countries, while Albania and Montenegro also received rescEU aircraft from neighbouring EU states.
The European Commission said the mechanism has been activated 16 times this season, matching the total for all of 2024.
The Copernicus satellite service has also been deployed to monitor fires in Greece, Spain and Bulgaria.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The scale of the 2025 wildfire season highlights the importance of international coordination in firefighting.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism demonstrates how multinational resources can be mobilised quickly to support national responses.
The extreme weather conditions recorded across southern Europe illustrate the increasing pressures on firefighting capacity and the need for cross-border resource planning.
Professionals in the sector can monitor how international systems and satellite data are integrated into operational response.
EU mobilises as southern Europe battles wildfires: Summary
Spain has deployed 500 additional soldiers to fight wildfires, bringing the total to 1,900.
According to national news reports, the country is battling 14 major blazes across Galicia, Castile and Leon, and Extremadura.
Portugal has more than 4,000 firefighters deployed and 139,000 hectares have burned this year.
Turkey has reported 19 deaths since June and evacuations in Çanakkale province.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated 16 times this season, matching the total for all of 2024.
Aircraft and personnel have been sent from France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Czechia, Romania and other countries.
The European Forest Fire Information System said 158,000 hectares have burned in Spain so far in 2025.
Authorities reported road and rail closures, evacuations and arrests linked to fire restrictions.
The European Commission said Copernicus satellite monitoring has been deployed in Greece, Spain and Bulgaria.
National news reports said smoke has reached the UK, affecting skies.