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Spain Reels: Record Heatwave Ignites Extreme Wildfire Danger
22 Jul
Summary
- Temperatures expected to reach 47C, nearing Spain's all-time record.
- Heat dome from Africa fuels extreme wildfire threats across the country.
- Over 1,000 people evacuated due to devastating wildfires this summer.
Spain is currently experiencing its third intense heatwave of the summer, with temperatures forecast to reach up to 47C. This oppressive heat is driven by a 'heat dome' effect, bringing scorching air from North Africa and exacerbating wildfire risks to extreme levels.
The Spanish meteorological agency AEMET has warned that these conditions will persist throughout the week. The current situation has already prompted the evacuation of over 1,000 people due to rapidly spreading wildfires. Spain has tragically become the most fire-affected country in the EU this year, with over 104,423 hectares burned as of 2026-07-22T18:37:01+00:00.
Local health authorities have reported nearly 1,300 heat-related emergencies, underscoring the severe health risks. This follows a deadly June heatwave where at least 1,028 individuals died from heat-related causes. Spain's highest recorded temperature was 47.6C in August 2021.
