Spain’s 2026 wildfire season has so far affected 264,656 hectares of land. This puts the current figure around 81,800 hectares below last year’s total for the same period. At the same time, the government is warning against underestimating the danger as temperatures are expected to rise again.
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
At the end of August, Spain is taking a provisional look at this year’s wildfire season. According to Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition (MITECO), a total of 264,656 hectares were affected by wildfires between 1 January and 31 August. Compared with the same period last year, this represents a decrease of 81,787 hectares. By this point in 2025, 346,443 hectares had been affected.
Despite the decline, the situation remains tense. By the end of August, Spain had recorded 44 major wildfires. The ministry has also stressed that the current figures are not yet final. The numbers may still change following a detailed assessment of the individual fires.
More than 264,000 hectares affected
The latest figure highlights the enormous scale of the wildfire season. A total of 264,656 hectares had been affected by wildfires by 31 August.
The comparison with the previous year is considerably more favourable. By 31 August 2026, 264,656 hectares in Spain had been affected by wildfires. During the same period last year, the figure stood at 346,443 hectares. This means that the area affected is currently 81,787 hectares, or around 23.6 per cent, lower than in 2025.
Nevertheless, there can be no talk of a normal wildfire season. Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition has also expressly pointed out that the current figures are still provisional. Only after a detailed assessment of the individual areas affected by the fires will the full extent of the damage be known.
44 major wildfires recorded
Particularly concerning are the so-called Grandes Incendios Forestales (GIF), or major wildfires. By 31 August, Spain had recorded 44 such fires. Under adverse weather conditions, these large-scale wildfires can spread across vast areas within a very short period of time, posing significant challenges for emergency and firefighting crews.
The scale of this year’s wildfires became particularly clear in August. One of the most severe fires was the major blaze near Burgohondo in the province of Ávila, which affected more than 39,000 hectares. The ecological consequences of such fires extend far beyond the point at which the flames have been brought under control.
Government warns of continued wildfire threat
Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, stressed at Monday’s meeting of the Environmental Steering Committee that the wildfire season is not yet over.
In light of the high temperatures expected over the coming days, the utmost caution remains necessary. Temperatures could once again exceed 40°C in parts of Spain. Aagesen therefore called for preventive measures to remain in place and warned against underestimating the risk.
Hottest summer since records began
The warnings come as Spain experiences an exceptionally hot summer. According to the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), the summer of 2026 has been the hottest on mainland Spain since records began. The average temperature was around 2.5°C above the reference value for the 1991–2020 period. Four heatwaves have also been recorded so far.
The combination of high temperatures, dry vegetation and, in some areas, strong winds creates ideal conditions for wildfires to start and spread rapidly.
There is still no clear sign of relief at the beginning of September. Temperatures of more than 40°C are once again expected in parts of Spain during the first few days of the month. At the same time, the wildfire risk could reach very high or extreme levels in several regions.
Forested areas particularly affected
As early as mid-August, MITECO had warned that this year’s wildfire season was proving unusually intense. By 17 August, according to figures available at the time, 254,730 hectares had been affected, while 42 major wildfires had already been recorded. Particularly striking was the proportion of forested areas affected.
The figures show that the total area affected alone is not enough to assess the severity of the wildfire season. The size and intensity of individual fires, as well as the ecosystems affected, also play a crucial role.
Major effort by firefighting crews
The burden on firefighting crews has been correspondingly high. In mid-August, MITECO reported that the state’s firefighting aircraft had completed a total of 8,753 flight hours by 18 August. During the same period in 2025, the figure stood at 4,912 hours.
This put the number of flight hours 78 per cent above the figure recorded in the previous year. The state’s firefighting resources are deployed at the request of the autonomous regions and are intended to reinforce their own firefighting capabilities.
The autonomous regions bear primary responsibility for tackling wildfires. The central government supports the regional emergency services, particularly by providing additional technical resources and personnel.
The consequences extend beyond the burnt area
The impact of the fires extends beyond the vegetation directly destroyed by the flames. Severe wildfires can also increase the risk of soil erosion and contamination of rivers and reservoirs. During heavy rainfall, ash and debris from burnt vegetation can be washed into waterways.
Following the major wildfire in Burgohondo, Ávila, measures are already under way to prevent contaminated ash from entering rivers, reservoirs and groundwater. Experts warn that the consequences of severe wildfires for soils and ecosystems can persist for many years.
Politics also under pressure
The increasing intensity of wildfires is now also fuelling political disputes. In various regions, opposition parties have accused the respective governments of failing to invest sufficiently in prevention, staffing and infrastructure.
In the Valencia region, for example, the fire in El Saler has sparked a fresh political debate. The opposition has criticised the firefighting response and preparations for the high wildfire risk. The authorities responsible have rejected the allegations, pointing to the efforts of the emergency services.
Wildfire firefighters themselves are also calling for better working conditions and increased staffing levels. This is increasingly raising questions about whether Spain is adequately prepared to deal with major wildfires in the face of increasingly extreme weather conditions.
No all-clear yet
The fact that the area affected is currently lower than in 2025 is certainly positive news. Nevertheless, it would be wrong to interpret this as a sign that the danger has passed. A total of 264,656 hectares is still an enormous area, while 44 major wildfires and persistently difficult weather conditions add to the concern.
The government is therefore explicitly warning against scaling back protective measures. The coming month of September, in particular, could pose a further challenge for Spain’s fire services and wildfire crews due to the high temperatures expected once again.
Spain faces a challenging autumn
The current figures therefore present a mixed picture: the area affected by wildfires is significantly lower than the exceptionally high figure recorded last year, while the risk of further wildfires remains high.
The coming weeks will be crucial. As long as temperatures remain unusually high and vegetation remains dry in many areas, the situation could quickly deteriorate again.
The Spanish authorities are therefore continuing to exercise the utmost caution and maintain a high level of deployment of firefighting and emergency response teams. The final assessment of the 2026 wildfire season is still pending.
