SPANISH WILDFIRES CLAIM SECOND VOLUNTEER AS DEATH TOLL RISES

A second volunteer firefighter has died from severe burns while battling a massive blaze in Spain, bringing the recent death toll to three. The country continues to fight nearly two dozen active wildfires, fueled by a relentless heatwave and dry conditions.

A devastating wildfire in Spain’s northwestern province of León has claimed the life of a second volunteer firefighter. The victim, 37-year-old Jaime Aparicio, suffered severe burns over 85% of his body after being trapped between two fire fronts alongside a colleague near the town of Nogarejas. His colleague, 35-year-old Abel Ramos, had died from the same fire on Tuesday.

This tragedy marks the latest in a series of deadly events, bringing the total number of fire-related deaths in Spain to six since the beginning of the year, with three occurring in just the past few days. A third victim, a man, died on Monday from burns sustained on the outskirts of Madrid. Several other volunteers remain in serious condition.

Widespread Fires and Public Safety Concerns

As of Thursday, nearly two dozen wildfires were still burning across Spain. The blazes have been intensified by a twelve-day heatwave with temperatures consistently exceeding 40°C (104°F) during the day and staying above 25°C (77°F) at night. This has led to the evacuation of over 9,500 people, with hundreds more advised to stay indoors. The fires have also caused significant travel disruptions, including the closure of at least 14 roads and the suspension of a key railway line between Madrid and Galicia.

In response to the crisis, the Civil Guard has announced the arrest of at least four more individuals suspected of intentionally or negligently starting fires. Since the beginning of the summer, around 30 people have been detained for similar acts.

Spain’s Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has requested and received assistance from the European Union, which has sent two Canadair firefighting aircraft. He noted that eleven of the fires are classified at Level 2, a high-risk designation that requires military assistance. Authorities are particularly concerned about the province of Zamora, where vast areas have already been consumed.

The Broader Picture: Climate Change and a "Black Year" for Europe

According to the European Commission, a total of 440,000 hectares have burned across the Eurozone in 2025, which is double the average since 2006. Experts link this trend to climate change, warning that hotter, drier summers are increasing wildfire risk in the Mediterranean. In Spain, record rainfall last spring promoted the growth of dense vegetation that has now become a highly flammable fuel source for the current fires.