Firefighters race to contain blazes in Spain’s Tres
Cantos and Portuguese districts as 44°C heat persists.
Madrid, Spain — Emergency crews in Spain and
Portugal are battling multiple wildfires as a record-breaking heatwave grips
the Iberian Peninsula. Overnight, firefighters fought to contain flames in Tres
Cantos, just north of Madrid, while Portuguese authorities reported several
active blazes amid soaring temperatures forecast to reach 44°C.
Firefighters in Spain worked through the night in
the municipality of Tres Cantos, located 23km north of Madrid, where a
fast-moving wildfire has threatened residential areas and nature reserves.
Officials said early Tuesday that containment lines were holding, but high
winds and extreme heat remained a challenge.
The blaze began on Monday afternoon, quickly
spreading through parched scrubland. Local police closed several access roads,
and precautionary evacuations were ordered in nearby communities.
In Portugal, multiple wildfires were reported in
Castelo Branco, Leiria, and Faro districts. Civil protection authorities
deployed additional ground crews and water-bombing aircraft to prevent the
flames from reaching populated areas.
The Portuguese government has placed 11 districts
under a “maximum fire risk” alert, warning that conditions could worsen in the
coming days. Firefighters are working in shifts around the clock as
temperatures remain well above seasonal averages.
Meteorologists from Spain’s national weather agency
(AEMET) have issued red alerts for several inland provinces, forecasting
temperatures of up to 44°C until at least Wednesday. Similar warnings have been
issued by Portugal’s meteorological service (IPMA).
The heatwave, described as the most intense in
recent years, has been attributed to a persistent high-pressure system drawing
hot, dry air from North Africa. Scientists say such weather patterns are
becoming more frequent due to climate change.
Residents in affected areas have been urged to
avoid outdoor activities during peak heat hours and to follow evacuation
instructions if necessary. Authorities are also advising against the use of
machinery that could spark fires.
In Tres Cantos, local mayor Jesús Moreno thanked
firefighters and volunteers for their rapid response. “Their dedication has
prevented a much larger catastrophe,” he told reporters.
So far, no fatalities have been reported, but
health officials warn of an increased risk of heat-related illnesses,
particularly among the elderly and young children.
Agricultural losses are also expected to mount,
with olive groves and vineyards in parts of Spain and Portugal suffering heat
stress. Farmers’ associations are calling for emergency relief measures.
Environmental groups say the twin crises of
heatwaves and wildfires highlight the urgent need for climate adaptation
strategies, including improved forest management and early-warning systems.
Tourism operators in the affected regions are
monitoring the situation closely, as several hiking routes and rural
accommodations have been closed for safety.
The European Union has pledged to provide support
through its Civil Protection Mechanism if national resources become
overstretched. Firefighting teams from France and Italy are reportedly on
standby.
By Tuesday morning, aerial images showed large
smoke plumes rising over the hills north of Madrid, while in Portugal,
helicopters shuttled between reservoirs and fire lines.
Authorities in both countries have stressed that
the coming 48 hours will be critical in determining whether the fires can be
brought under control before winds shift later in the week.