Spain Wildfires Map
Spain Wildfires Map tracks live active wildfires, satellite thermal hotspots, and smoke dispersion across Spain in real time. Monitor verified incident perimeters, containment status, and weather-driven spread risk updated continuously using authoritative satellite radiometry from NASA FIRMS (VIIRS 375m & MODIS) and Copernicus EFFIS.
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Streaming active thermal detections from NASA FIRMS VIIRS & MODIS and Copernicus EFFIS.
Wildfires in Spain today
So far in 2026, 300,998 hectares have burned in Spain — 216% above the 20-year average.
HOW MUCH BURNS IN SPAIN EACH YEAR
+216% ▲300,998 hectares so far this year, 216% above the average. Out of the 26 countries the European system tracks, Spain is the 2nd furthest above its own average.
EFFIS Copernicus · data as of 1 OctSo far in 2026, 300,998 hectares have burned in Spain across Mediterranean pine forests, scrub matorral, and pasturelands—measuring 216% above the 20-year national historical average. Out of the 26 European countries tracked by the Copernicus Emergency Management Service, Spain ranks as the 2nd furthest above its own long-term historical baseline this season.
Severe Iberian thermal low-pressure systems, combined with desiccating Poniente and Terral wind shears, have generated high rates of fire spread across steep mountain topography where aerial water dropping provides critical containment support.
Named fires in Spain
Detailed tactical reports with satellite radiometry, burned hectares, and suppression containment status.
| Incident / Sector | Status | Burned Footprint | Containment | Thermal FRP | Satellite Radiometer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildfire near Igualeja (Sep 27)Málaga · Andalusia • Sep 27 Mountain scrub and pine fire in Serranía de Ronda, secured following aggressive aerial retardant drops. | Ended | 450 hectares1,112 acres | 100% Contained | Cold Footprint | NOAA-20 VIIRS |
| Wildfire near BenahavísMálaga · Andalusia • Sep 22 Coastal mountain brush fire near urban-wildland interface, contained without structural losses. | Ended | 300 hectares741 acres | 100% Contained | Controlled | NOAA-21 VIIRS |
| Wildfire near San Martín de ValdeiglesiasMadrid / Ávila border • Aug 18 High-intensity regional crown fire driven by dry westerly gusts through dense stone pine forests. | Ended | 19,939 hectares49,269 acres | 100% Contained | Cold Footprint | Suomi-NPP VIIRS |
| Wildfire near NulesCastellón · Valencian Community • Aug 12 Fast-moving shrubland and agricultural interface fire fueled by severe 41°C heatwave conditions. | Ended | 9,222 hectares22,788 acres | 100% Contained | Cold Footprint | MODIS Aqua |
| Wildfire near Villamanín (Sep 20)León · Cantabrian Range • Sep 20 Alpine gorse and broom vegetation fire in steep rocky terrain, halted by alpine hand crews. | Ended | 280 hectares692 acres | 100% Contained | Controlled | NOAA-20 VIIRS |
| Wildfire near PinofranqueadoLas Hurdes · Extremadura • Jul 29 Dense pine reforestations in deep ravines contained by Military Emergency Unit (UME) bulldozer lines. | Ended | 1,180 hectares2,916 acres | 100% Contained | Cold Footprint | MODIS Terra |
| Wildfire near EslidaSierra de Espadán · Castellón • Aug 06 Protected cork oak natural park wildfire arrested before spreading into the deep canyon sanctuary. | Ended | 280 hectares692 acres | 100% Contained | Controlled | NOAA-21 VIIRS |
| Wildfire near MontehermosoCáceres · Extremadura • Aug 02 Pastureland and holm oak dehesa fire extinguished rapidly by initial attack helitack brigades. | Ended | 280 hectares692 acres | 100% Contained | Controlled | NOAA-20 VIIRS |
“Contained” does not mean the fire is completely extinguished. Containment represents the percentage of the fire perimeter where physical control lines (such as mineral soil trenches, retardant drops, and natural river barriers) have stopped outward spread. In southern European fire reporting, containment figures are officially verified by autonomous community emergency commands and Copernicus rapid mapping missions.
About wildfires in Spain
Spain is structurally one of the most wildfire-vulnerable nations in the Mediterranean basin and across the European continent. Its diverse topography—spanning the arid inland Meseta Central, the rugged Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada cordilleras, and the humid, high-biomass landscapes of the Atlantic northwest—creates distinct regional fire regimes that challenge civil protection agencies each summer.
The country experiences its most critical fire episodes from June through September, amplified by Mediterranean climatic cycles characterized by near-zero summer precipitation, prolonged heat domes, and intense solar insolation. In the northwest (Galicia and Asturias), high rainfall during winter and spring fosters dense biomass growth of pyrophytic eucalyptus and maritime pines, which quickly turn combustible during subsequent summer dry spells.
To combat these seasonal emergencies, Spain has developed one of the world's most sophisticated inter-agency firefighting infrastructures, coordinating federal, military, and regional autonomous community brigades.
BRIF Helitack Units
Brigadas de Refuerzo en Incendios Forestales: Elite airborne hand crews deployed nationally by MITECO to combat inaccessible mountain headfires.
UME Military Emergency Unit
Unidad Militar de Emergencias: Specialized armed forces battalion activated for Level 2 and Level 3 regional wildfire emergencies.
43 Grupo Amphibious Wing
Spanish Air Force Canadair CL-215T and CL-415 amphibious water bombers operating rapid reservoir and coastal bay scooping missions.
Today's situation
Today in Spain, active suppression efforts remain concentrated around the Villamanín incident in the province of León, encompassing an estimated 230 hectares of high-elevation gorse and scrubland. Firefighting crews have established perimeter containment lines, taking advantage of cool morning humidity before afternoon wind gusts increase.
Six additional small brush ignitions were contained across the Iberian Peninsula over the past 72 hours. While recent localized rain showers brought temporary relief to northern Galicia and Cantabria, interior valleys across Castilla y León, Extremadura, and Andalusia remain under moderate-to-high fire weather warning indexes due to low fuel moisture and unseasonably dry winds.
With 296,815 cumulative hectares burned year-to-date, Spain continues to experience its most challenging fire volume since the catastrophic summer of 2022. Ground and aerial emergency units remain pre-positioned at strategic airbases across Albacete, Zaragoza, and Seville for immediate initial attack dispatch.
Spain wildfire season
Spain's wildfire calendar is divided into two distinct seasonal danger windows: the primary summer season (June to September) and a secondary, localized winter-spring season (February to April) that predominantly affects the northern coastal mountains of Cantabria and Asturias due to seasonal agricultural pasture burning and warm, desiccating Foehn winds.
During the mid-summer peak in July and August, synoptic high-pressure systems pull superheated Saharan air northward across the Iberian Peninsula, triggering heatwave spikes above 42°C. The Mediterranean eastern seaboard (Valencia, Alicante, Murcia), southern Andalusia, and the central interior plateaus face severe convective fire risks where crown fires can spread at speeds exceeding 4 to 6 kilometers per hour.
Compounding this seasonal vulnerability is the sociological challenge known as 'La España Vaciada' (Empty Spain). As rural populations moved to metropolitan hubs, hundreds of thousands of hectares of historically grazed pastoral pastures and managed olive/almond groves were abandoned. Dense invasive shrubland (jara, gorse, and heather) has colonized these untended slopes, generating continuous fuel beds capable of feeding high-intensity megafires.
Notable wildfires in history
Tenerife Mega-Fire
Canary IslandsSierra de la Culebra & Losacio
Zamora · Castilla y LeónDoñana National Park / Moguer
Huelva · AndalusiaCortes de Pallás & Andilla Fires
Valencian CommunityMain causes & risk factors
Mediterranean Heatwaves & Extreme Drought
Spain experiences intense summer heatwaves (olas de calor) where temperatures frequently exceed 40°C to 44°C (104°F to 111°F). Combined with prolonged multi-year droughts (sequía prolongada), vegetation moisture levels plunge into critical ignition thresholds.
Rural Depopulation ('España Vaciada')
Over the last half-century, millions of Spaniards migrated from rural mountainous villages to coastal cities and Madrid. Abandoned agricultural terraces and unmanaged forests have accumulated colossal fuel loads of dry brush and dead wood.
Flammable Monoculture Plantations
In Galicia, Asturias, and northwestern Spain, extensive industrial plantations of non-native Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) and dense maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) contain high concentrations of flammable volatile oils, promoting explosive crown fires.
Synoptic Continental Wind Patterns
Dry continental winds—notably the burning Poniente in Valencia, the scorching Terral in Andalusia, and Atlantic gale gusts in the Cantabrian Range—propagate fast-moving headfires that outpace ground suppression crews.
Anthropogenic Ignitions & Negligence
Over 80% of wildfires in Spain originate from human causes—including agricultural stubble burning, machinery sparks, discarded cigarettes, and intentional arson. Strict summer burning bans are legally enforced to curb human-caused ignitions.
Safety & preparedness
Call 112 Immediately
In Spain, 112 is the single emergency dispatch for all fires, medical emergencies, and rescue. Operators speak Spanish, English, French, and German. Provide landmark coordinates or municipality names.
Strict Summer Flame Bans
From June 1 to October 15, open fires, barbecues, agricultural residue burning, and machinery use in or near forest land are strictly prohibited by regional autonomous community decrees.
Defensible Space Around Rural Homes
Maintain a cleared buffer zone of at least 30 meters around rural fincas, villas, and urbanization dwellings. Remove dead pine needles, cut tree branches 3 meters above ground, and clear roof gutters.
Obey Evacuation Instructions Promptly
Follow evacuation alerts issued by Protección Civil, Guardia Civil, and local Bomberos without hesitation. Never attempt to outrun an uphill wildfire on foot—fires advance fastest up slopes.
Monitor AEMET Fire Risk Index
Consult the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) daily forest fire danger maps. Days categorized as 'Extremo' or 'Muy Alto' carry elevated risk of rapid fire spread and spot fires.
Spain 24/7 National Emergency Hotline: 112
Direct access to Bomberos, Protección Civil, and UME emergency response across all provinces.
Frequently asked questions
Key facts about satellite radiometry, fire seasons, and safety preparedness in Spain.