Key facts
- Spain is entering its peak wildfire season with several active blazes.
- Nearly 50,000 hectares have been lost to wildfires in Spain in 2026, according to European estimates.
- Fires in Aragon have devastated around 2,200 hectares in Leciñena and 4,000 hectares in Tamarite de Litera-Alcampell.
- A fire in Despeñaperros Natural Park (Jaén) is active, leading to preventive evacuations of nearly 200 people.
- June was the most destructive month, with around 15,900 hectares burned.
- Spain has recorded 14 major forest fires (exceeding 500 hectares) this year.
Spain is facing a critical wildfire season, with multiple blazes active and emergency services on high alert. The country has already lost nearly 50,000 hectares to fires in 2026, a figure that is higher than the average for this time of year.
In the Aragon region, a fire in Leciñena has devastated approximately 2,200 hectares, while another in La Fueva led to the preventive evacuation of Morillo de Monclús and Formigales. These incidents follow two major wildfires in early July that burned around 4,000 hectares and forced evacuations.
Meanwhile, a fire in the Despeñaperros Natural Park in Jaén remains active. The Infoca plan has elevated the emergency to operational situation 1, and aerial resources have resumed firefighting efforts. This blaze has necessitated the preventive evacuation of almost 200 people, including residents of Miranda del Rey and children from a nearby farm school.
In the Canary Islands, the regional government has lifted forest fire alerts for several islands but maintains a pre-alert for forest fire risk.
Data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) indicates that Spain has lost close to 50,000 hectares in 2026. This figure differs from the Ministry for Ecological Transition's data of 39,700 hectares up to June 21, due to differing methodologies. EFFIS uses continuous satellite imagery estimates, while the ministry compiles official reports from autonomous regions.
June was the most destructive month, with about 15,900 hectares scorched. Cantabria leads in affected hectares with around 15,500, while Álava has also seen an unusually high number of hectares burned for this point in the year. Spain has recorded 14 major forest fires, defined as those exceeding 500 hectares, so far in 2026.
The situation is part of a wider European concern, with approximately 130,400 hectares burned across the EU, which is 16% more than normal for this period. These figures are provisional and subject to updates.