A huge blaze in central Spain continued out of control on Monday with 10,000 more hectares lost overnight and 1,200 people evacuated, as the country continues to suffer some of the worst wildfires in recent memory.
A wildfire in La Mierla (Guadalajara provice) has become the largest in Spain in 2026, totalling 26,000 hectares so far and forcing the evacuation of 25 municipalities.
The fire has devoured an area roughly equivalent to the Scottish city of Edinburgh.
Together with the recent wildfire in Orés (Zaragoza), a total of 40,000 hectares has been ravaged, according to the latest official figures.
While the Orés fire has now been contained, the fire in Mierla is still out of control and has worsened due to wind.
It already has a 100-kilometre perimeter and has forced 1,200 people to leave their homes.
According to Mercedes Gómez, the Minister of Sustainable Development for Castilla-La Mancha, efforts on Sunday focused on the Gascueña and Bustares areas.
A total of 655 personnel, 33 aircraft, and 33 ground crews are currently working to extinguish the blaze.
“We want to stay ahead of the fire,” Gómez stressed.
The Orés fire also still remains active, even though it is now under control. The focus now is on consolidating the perimeter, which now totals 80 kilometres.
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Aragonese regional president Jorge Azcón stated that the Orés fire now “looks different” and that there are “no more flames”. “Today is the first day we can breathe a sigh of relief,” he added.
“That doesn’t mean we’re going to let our guard down. The fire will continue to be brought under control,” he concluded.
A further 1,000 people were evacuated to due this blaze in the villages of Orés, Asín, Luesia, Malpica de Arba, Peraltilla, Uncastillo and Petilla de Aragón.
Vice President of the region, Mar Vaquero explained that the condition of the homes and infrastructure must now be checked so that residents can return to their homes, a decision that “can be made in the next few days,” she said.
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Two more fires broke out in Spain on Sunday July 20th. One was in El Prat de Llobregat next to Barcelona, which forced the closure of the B-250 highway and one lane of the B-20.
Thirteen fire crews from the Catalan Fire Service are working in the area, and it is estimated that the fire has already affected approximately four hectares.
The second was in Quintana de la Serena, Badajoz, triggering a Level 1 emergency response due to its potential impact on nearby buildings.
The Extremadura Forest Fire Fighters and the Cáceres Provincial Council, as well as Civil Guard officers, were deployed to the scene.
After a few hours, authorities declared the fire to be under control.
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Earlier this month, Spain witnessed one of the deadliest wildfires in its recent history, when a blaze in the southern province of Almeria killed 13 people and destroyed 7,000 hectares.
According to Scientists, human-driven climate change is increasing the length, intensity and frequency of heatwaves, which dry out vegetation and contribute to the likelihood of wildfires.
