Spain is grappling with two major wildfires that remain active in the provinces of Guadalajara and Zaragoza, pushing the country’s total burned area this year close to 50,000 hectares. The blazes, among the most destructive of the season, have forced the evacuation of dozens of villages and stretched emergency resources across multiple regions.
The fire near La Mierla, roughly 100 kilometres northeast of Madrid in the Castilla-La Mancha region, ignited on Thursday and has scorched nearly 9,900 hectares. Firefighters worked through the weekend to contain the southern edge of the blaze near Gascueña de Bornova, while also protecting the villages of Navas de Jadraque and Bustares. Authorities have evacuated 16 villages and surrounding areas, including communities near the Beleña reservoir.
Officials in Castilla-La Mancha described the fire’s behaviour as extreme, driven by strong south-westerly winds that pushed flames forward at more than 60 metres per minute—well above the threshold for a wildfire to be considered difficult to control. Spain’s Civil Guard is investigating the cause, with early indications pointing to agricultural work involving a combine harvester.
Second Blaze in Aragon Exceeds 15,000 Hectares
In northeastern Spain, the wildfire near Orés in the province of Zaragoza has burned more than 15,400 hectares. Fire officials reported that the blaze behaved more favourably overnight, allowing crews to deploy additional aircraft and ground teams as weather conditions eased. The villages of Orés, Asín, Luesia, Malpica de Arba and Uncastillo remain under evacuation orders, while residents in Sos del Rey Católico, Navardún, Urriés and Castiliscar have been placed on alert.
Around 450 firefighters and emergency personnel are involved in the operation, closely monitoring shifting winds to prevent flare-ups and protect nearby communities as well as the Sierra de Santo Domingo natural area. Aragón’s 112 emergency service dismissed online rumours that tractors were needed to help tackle the Orés wildfire, calling the claims false.
These two fires are part of what has become one of Spain’s most severe wildfire seasons in recent years. According to official data, approximately 50,000 hectares have burned across the country so far in 2025, with authorities recording 18 major wildfires—nearly three times the area affected during the same period in 2024. The situation echoes the devastating fires of 2022, when Spain saw record destruction, and underscores the growing impact of climate change on the Iberian Peninsula.
Several other fires remain active. In the northern province of Huesca, firefighters continue to battle a blaze near the town of Plan, although its spread slowed overnight. Another wildfire near Fiscal has been largely stabilised. In southern Spain, crews are tackling blazes near Laujar de Andarax in Almería province and Purullena in Granada province, with officials reporting favourable progress at the latter. Residents evacuated from the village of Árchez in Málaga province have been allowed to return home after a nearby wildfire was stabilised, and authorities in the Madrid region have brought a wildfire near Lozoyuela under control after it burned more than 700 hectares.
The scale of this year’s fires has prompted renewed debate about land management and prevention strategies. Spain’s government has allocated additional funds for firefighting resources, but critics argue that more investment is needed in rural planning and early detection systems. For a broader look at how wildfire smoke affects health across Europe, see our guide on protecting yourself from poor air quality.
As the fire season continues, the focus remains on containing the two largest blazes and preventing further loss of life and property. The coming days will be critical, with weather forecasts predicting a return of high temperatures and dry conditions that could fuel further spread.
