Spain forest fires destroy 630,000 hectares in two years

Forest fires in Spain have consumed approximately 630,000 hectares over the last two years, according to data from Civil Protection and the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO). This total represents one of the most severe periods for the Spanish environment since the mid-1980s.

In 2025, nearly 355,000 hectares burned, followed by 2026, which saw 275,000 hectares destroyed. The 2026 campaign was noted as one of the worst this century, resulting in 21 deaths. Factors such as high temperatures, drought, and dry vegetation have complicated firefighting efforts.

Miguel Ángel Ortega, director of the organization Reforesta, stated that human action is responsible for 95 percent of forest fires. He cautioned against misinformation, noting that while rural abandonment is often blamed, it is not the primary cause. Reforesta has launched a project to combat misinformation regarding the complex causes of these fires and the effectiveness of environmental policies.