Spain faces fourth heat wave as deaths rise, farmers protest bans
Meteorological agencies forecast a new subtropical ridge that will trigger a fourth heat wave over the Iberian Peninsula, with temperatures projected to reach 40‑42 °C in central valleys by mid‑week. The extreme heat has already resulted in 128 excess deaths in Aragón, mostly among people over 85, surpassing the total mortality of the entire summer of 2025. In Catalonia, temperatures hit 43 °C in Lleida, and fire risk remains high as strong winds threaten forested areas, prompting state emergency plans for 195 municipalities. Farmers in Castilla‑La Mancha (Cuenca and Guadalajara) complain that fire‑prevention restrictions have blocked harvesting between 13:00 and 18:00 for ten consecutive days, describing it as a criminalisation of agriculture. Reports from Barcelona indicate that people sleeping rough are suffering severe heat, with deaths among the homeless. Experts warn that while air‑conditioning provides relief, it also raises energy consumption and emissions, underscoring the need for broader adaptation measures.
The combined impact of the heat wave on public health, agriculture and fire safety highlights the urgency of coordinated response across Spanish regions.
Entities: ASAJA (Agricultural Union) · Catalonia Civil Protection · Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Aragón health authority) · Jorge Rey · Spain
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Temperatures in central Spanish valleys are expected to exceed 40 °C mid‑week. (Forecast models)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Fire risk remains high in Catalonia due to wind, prompting emergency plans covering 195 municipalities. (Catalonia civil protection authorities)
- [DISPUTED] Temperature in Lleida, Catalonia reached 43 °C on Thursday. (Catalonia meteorological service)
- [DISPUTED] Meteorological agencies forecast a subtropical ridge that will trigger a fourth heat wave over the Iberian Peninsula with temperatures up to 42 °C. (Weather agencies (AEMET, model forecasts))
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Homeless people in Barcelona have suffered severe heat, with deaths reported among those sleeping on the streets. (Report from local organization Arrels)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The heat wave caused 128 excess deaths in Aragón between June and July 2026, 65 % of victims over 85 years old. (MoMo mortality monitoring system)
- [● 2 SOURCES] ASAJA reports fire‑prevention restrictions have prohibited harvesting between 13:00 and 18:00 for ten consecutive days in Castilla‑La Mancha. (ASAJA farmers' union statements)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Expert Jorge Rey warned that Spain is not prepared for post‑heat‑wave conditions. (Jorge Rey, meteorology expert)