Spain Wildfire Kills at Least 12, Authorities Arrest 2 for Ignoring Evacuation Orders

Hundreds of firefighters, supported by aircraft, are working to contain a wildfire in southern Spain that has killed at least 12 people and scorched approximately 66 square kilometers (25 square miles) of forest and farmland. The fire, which began late Thursday in a semi-arid area near the Sierre de Los Filabres mountains in Almeria province, intensified amid high temperatures.

Authorities stated that many of the victims are believed to be foreign nationals who ignored evacuation orders. Seven individuals died on foot after abandoning their vehicles, and four of the deceased are thought to be British, based on the right-hand drive of their burned-out car. Autopsies and DNA sampling are underway to confirm their identities.

Fire crews implemented controlled burns overnight to establish a perimeter, aided by light winds and high humidity, though the fire's extensive size presented ongoing challenges. A total of 1,448 people were evacuated from 11 affected areas. In a separate development, Spanish authorities arrested two individuals for returning to a high-risk zone after evacuation orders had been issued.

Justice Minister Félix Bolaños attributed the fire's intensity to a "climate emergency," noting that at its peak, the blaze advanced at a rate of 100 meters per minute (328 feet per minute). Spain has experienced severe heat waves in recent years, with temperatures frequently exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), contributing to conditions where small wildfires can rapidly escalate. Last year, wildfires in Spain burned over 393,000 hectares (971,000 acres), resulting in four fatalities.

Europe is warming at twice the global average rate, and the continent is experiencing intense heat waves. France has also been battling wildfires this summer, with temperatures reaching 40 C in some areas. Since the beginning of summer, 32 people have been arrested in France in connection with wildfires, and over 25,000 hectares (62,000 acres) have burned this year, nearly double the area compared to the same period last year.