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Spain's Forests Overgrow, Fueling Deadliest Fires in Decades
22 Oct
Summary
- Rural exodus led to overgrown forests, increasing wildfire fuel.
- Spain's forest cover grew 38% between 1990 and 2025.
- Fire prevention efforts fall short due to funding and fragmented land ownership.
Europe has endured a severe wildfire season, with Spain experiencing its deadliest in decades, burning 699,000 hectares nationwide. Spain's biggest wildfire in recent history ignited on July 22, 2026, near Burgohondo, forcing over 60,000 evacuations and consuming 63,000 hectares by October 3.
This escalation is linked to landscape changes, particularly a 38% increase in Spain's forest cover to 19.1 million hectares between 1990 and 2025. This growth, especially on neglected rural lands abandoned since the mid-20th century, has created dense, flammable vegetation.
Wildfire risk is exacerbated as expanding forests encroach closer to populated areas. Fire prevention efforts are hampered by insufficient funding and the challenge of managing over 90% of private land plots, which are smaller than 1 hectare. Regional governments are working on solutions, including promoting mosaic landscapes and assisting small landowners.
While Spain's regions budgeted at least €1.8 billion for wildfire prevention and suppression in 2025, a significant majority was allocated to firefighting rather than proactive prevention. Authorities are seeking more coordinated responses and increased investment in prevention to manage growing climate change risks.
