Heat wave causes huge fires in several locations in Spain

Published at: 05/08/2025 11:09 PM

The most intense and prolonged summer heat wave recorded in Spain has set off alarms in several autonomous communities, where forest fires are spreading rapidly.

Extreme weather conditions, with high temperatures and strong winds, seriously complicate extinguishing tasks. Three fires keep the authorities in particular tension: those in Tarifa, in Cádiz, Ponteceso, La Coruña and Añorbe in Navarra, reported by local and international media.

In Tarifa, the fire began in the early afternoon of Tuesday, August 5, after a motorhome burned down in the area of La Peña. From there, the flames spread rapidly due to the east wind, reaching dangerously close to the Estrecho Natural Park and Valdevaqueros beach.

Dozens of people have had to be evacuated, including customers of a campsite and several beach bars located in busy areas. A section of the N-340 road has also been cut off for safety. Local authorities confirm that the fire has reached nearby homes and premises.

In Galicia, the fire that broke out in Ponteceso has forced residents of the parish of Corme Aldea to be evicted and has interrupted traffic on the AC-424 regional road.

The strong wind from the northeast prevents the use of air assets, so the Xunta has requested support from the Military Emergency Unit (UME), which is already working in the area. The Galician Government speaks openly of intentional fires, after several simultaneous sources were detected in a small space.

For its part, in Navarra, the fire that started between Muruzábal, Enériz, Añorbe and Obanos is still active, although for the time being it does not represent a direct threat to urban areas. The fire mainly affects fields already harvested and a pine forest area.

The regional president, María Chivite, explained that Operational Situation 2 of the Special Civil Protection Plan has been activated, allowing for the deployment of an extensive operation. Even if the wind blows in the opposite direction to that recorded in past fires, emergency crews will continue to work throughout the night to prevent the fire from rekindling.

With temperatures rising and the forecast of more wind in the coming hours, the situation remains very delicate in these three areas and in other parts of the country, where vigilance is also being maintained in the face of the risk of new fires.

Mazo News Team