Spain adds 500 more troops to battle wildfires as country bakes under extended heatwave
Spain continues to burn as extreme temperatures strike
- Spain is deploying an additional 500 soldiers, bringing the total to over 1,900, to combat widespread wildfires, particularly in the northwestern Galicia region where 12 major blazes are active.
- The country is experiencing extreme temperatures, with forecasts up to 45 degrees Celsius, leading to an "extreme" danger of wildfires across most of the nation.
- So far this year, fires in Spain have consumed 158,000 hectares, an area comparable to metropolitan London, with homes in Galicia under threat and evacuations underway.
- International assistance is arriving, with Spain expecting water-dumping planes from the Netherlands, France, and Italy, and additional firefighters from other countries.
- The severe conditions have led to the suspension of Madrid-Galicia high-speed train services and health advisories for residents in affected areas, while other European nations like Portugal and Greece also battle significant fires.