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2026-07-26 08:05 UTC → 2026-07-26 17:09 UTC ·
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Late July 2026 Spain heat wave & harvest bans protests
The July 2026 A fourth subtropical ridge pushed a new heat wave continues to dominate Spain, across Spain in late July, with temperatures exceeding 35 forecasts of 40‑42 °C in the south central valleys and a record 40‑41 43 °C in Zaragoza. Red fire‑risk indices persist across Castilla‑La Mancha, keeping the harvesting ban from 13:00 Lleida. The extreme temperatures have driven excess mortality to 18:00 in Cuenca and Guadalajara 128 deaths in place. The agricultural union ASA JA maintains that Aragón, largely among people over 85, surpassing the Potential Propagation Index has remained at red level total excess deaths recorded for ten consecutive days, forcing farmers to leave large grain portions unharvested and describing the measures as a “criminalisation” entire summer of farming. ASA JA continues to press the regional government for a morning harvesting window when temperatures are lower. In Catalonia, a brief cooling spell has not eased 2025. Heat‑related fatalities among the emergency plan for forest fires; homeless have also risen in Barcelona. Fire risk remains high; strong winds and dry conditions still raise keep fire‑prevention plans active for 195 municipalities in Catalonia, while the risk, and access to natural areas remains restricted. red fire‑risk index persists across Castilla‑La Mancha. The Catalan civil‑protection agency reports 211 deaths regional harvest ban that limits grain picking to 13:00‑18:00 has now been in force for ten consecutive days, prompting renewed farmer protests that label the first twelve days restrictions a “criminalisation” of July, underscoring the public‑health toll. Cooling‑unit agriculture. Air‑conditioning provides short‑term relief but amplifies electricity demand and associated fossil‑fuel emissions add further climate pressure. Overall, related emissions, underscoring the prolonged broader challenge of adapting to persistent, record‑setting heat wave sustains fire danger, health concerns, harvest restrictions, and mounting pressure on across Spain’s authorities health, agricultural and farmers. fire‑management systems.