Deadly wildfires in southern Spain amid record heat and evacuations
Consensus Summary
Two news sources report that a deadly wildfire in southern Spain killed 12 people in Almeria, with about 150 firefighters battling the blaze amid scorching temperatures. Both sources confirm six injuries, including burns and smoke inhalation, and note that 50 people were evacuated to a cultural center. The fire may have started after a power line fell, and Spain’s Military Emergencies Unit was expected to join the response. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced in May that Spain would deploy its largest-ever summer wildfire response, reflecting growing concerns about extreme heat and prolonged fire seasons. The Guardian highlights that 393,000 hectares burned in Spain in 2025, while ABC notes that almost 400,000 hectares burned last year, marking record wildfire activity. ABC also details additional fires in eastern Spain and near Costa Brava, with evacuations and heat records contributing to the crisis. Both articles emphasize the role of climate breakdown in intensifying wildfire risks globally, with the season now lasting about two weeks longer on average.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- 12 people were killed in a wildfire in Almeria, southern Spain
- About 150 firefighters battled the blaze in Almeria
- Six people were injured, including a woman with burns and another with smoke inhalation
- Four others were treated at the scene for minor burns and respiratory problems
- The fire injured at least six people, with some taken to hospital
- About 50 people were housed in a cultural centre due to the fire
- The wildfire may have started after a power line fell, igniting dry vegetation
- Spain’s Military Emergencies Unit (UME) was expected to join firefighting efforts
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced in May that Spain would deploy its largest-ever summer wildfire response
- The wildfire season has increased by about two weeks on average globally due to climate breakdown
- More than 393,000 hectares (971,000 acres) burned in Spain in 2025, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS)
- Spain experienced its third-warmest year on record in 2025
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The death toll rose to 12 after confirmation of six more deaths in the hamlet of Bedar, Almeria
- The fire injured six people, including a woman with burns and another with smoke inhalation, with four others treated at the scene for minor burns and respiratory problems
- Spain’s wildfire response was described as the largest-ever summer deployment in May
- Climate breakdown has increased the wildfire season by about two weeks on average across the globe
- More than 393,000 hectares (971,000 acres) burned in Spain in 2025, making it the country’s worst wildfire year in recent history
- Some of the dead in Bedar were found in vehicles, revising an earlier toll of six dead
- Five fire trucks backed the 150 firefighters battling the blaze
- Temperatures neared 40 degrees Celsius during the fire
- Spain registered 25 single-day heat records in 2025, its third-warmest year on record
- A wildfire in eastern Spain on Sunday night spread into the Serra d'Espadàn Natural Park, with firefighters battling it overnight
- Strong winds whipped up a fire near Costa Brava in July, prompting evacuations in 10 municipalities, including Platja d'Aro
- Deadly wildfires devoured almost 400,000 hectares of land last year, the highest figure recorded for the country by EFFIS
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states 393,000 hectares burned in Spain in 2025, while ABC says almost 400,000 hectares burned last year
- The Guardian mentions temperatures exceeding 40C in general terms, while ABC specifies temperatures neared 40 degrees Celsius during the Almeria fire
Source Articles
Wildfires in southern Spain kill 12 amid soaring temperatures
Wildfire comes as Spain suffers a heatwave, with scorching temperatures triggering orange weather warnings Twelve people were reported killed in a wildfire in Almeria in southern Spain , as about 150 firefighters battled the blaze which broke out amid soaring temperatures. “The number of people who died in the fire in Los Gallardos has risen to 12 after the confirmation of six more deaths,” the regional government of Andalusia said in a statement. Continue reading...
Wildfire in southern Spain kills 12 as heatwave continues
A fast-moving wildfire in southern Spain kills 12 as a heatwave pushes temperatures up over much of the country.