Firefighters battled raging blazes on Monday, August 18, in the municipalities of Bouses and Oimbra, in Ourense province, Galicia, as wildfires continue to devastate northern Spain.

Wildfires have scorched more than 344,000 hectares of land across Spain this year, making it the worst fire season in the country in over three decades.

According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), nearly 300,000 hectares were burned in the past three weeks alone. The total area affected since January now exceeds 344,417 hectares.

SHOTLIST:

OURENSE, SPAIN (AUGUST 18, 2025) (ANADOLU – ACCESS ALL)

1. FIREFIGHTERS ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH FLAMES

2. VARIOUS OF WILDFIRE IN FORESTED AREA AS SMOKE COVERS HILLS

3. FIREFIGHTERS ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH FLAMES OURENSE, SPAIN - AUGUST 18: Firefighters battled raging blazes on Monday, August 18, in the municipalities of Bouses and Oimbra, in Ourense province, Galicia, as wildfires continue to devastate northern Spain.

Wildfires have scorched more than 344,000 hectares of land across Spain this year, making it the worst fire season in the country in over three decades.

According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), nearly 300,000 hectares were burned in the past three weeks alone. The total area affected since January now exceeds 344,417 hectares.

Fires continue to burn in 23 locations across Galicia, Castilla y León, Asturias, and Extremadura. The most affected regions include Ourense and León, where efforts to control the flames are still underway.

Civil Protection officials report that 5,300 people from 76 towns in Castilla y León remain displaced, staying in shelters or with relatives.

Since early August, more than 31,000 people have been evacuated nationwide.
At least four people have died, and authorities have launched 92 investigations related to the fires, with 31 suspects detained.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited Ourense and León on August 17 and is expected to travel to Zamora and Caceres on Tuesday.

The fires are fueled by strong winds and extreme temperatures reaching 44°C. Officials warn that full containment may still take several more days.