Spain wildfires affect nearly 30% of protected natural areas

A study by the University of León reveals that nearly 30% of the area burned by wildfires in Spain in 2026 is located within protected natural spaces. As of late August, approximately 297,600 hectares have been destroyed across the country, with 88,801 hectares falling under legal environmental protection.

Natural parks have been particularly hard hit, accounting for roughly 40,000 hectares of the burned area. Additionally, spaces integrated into the Natura 2000 network have seen approximately 25,560 hectares affected. One notable instance is the Navaluenga fire in Ávila, which impacted an estimated 80% of the Valle de Iruelas Natural Reserve.

Researchers note that extreme weather, high fuel availability, and vegetation continuity allow fires to bypass administrative boundaries. While some debate the role of climate change versus land management and rural abandonment, experts emphasize that prevention requires active forest management, such as pruning and controlled clearing, rather than total landscape freezing.