A devastating wildfire in Almeria, southern Spain, has claimed the lives of 12 people, as approximately 150 firefighters are deployed to combat the inferno amidst scorching temperatures and an ongoing heatwave.
The regional government of Andalusia confirmed the rising death toll, stating that the number of people who died in the fire in Los Gallardos had increased to 12 following the confirmation of six additional deaths. All fatalities occurred in the hamlet of Bedar. The blaze also left at least six people injured, including a woman who suffered burns and another individual hospitalized due to smoke inhalation. Four other people received on-site treatment for minor burns and respiratory issues caused by the heavy smoke.
While authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the fire, witnesses have informed officials that the blaze may have originated after a power line fell, igniting dry vegetation. The fire then spread rapidly through the surrounding woodland. As the flames advanced, roads were closed, and residents were evacuated, with about 50 people finding shelter in a cultural centre.
Spain’s military emergency unit, typically deployed in major crises, is expected to join the firefighting efforts in the coming hours. Juanma Moreno, the head of the regional government of Andalusia, expressed his profound condolences to the families of the victims, describing the event as “a tragedy.” He conveyed his grief on X, writing, “Our hearts are heavy and we are devastated by grief.”
This wildfire strikes as Spain endures a significant heatwave, with parts of Andalusia experiencing scorching temperatures that have triggered orange weather warnings – the second-highest alert level – in recent days. Spain has faced increasingly frequent and prolonged heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures often exceeding 40C, creating prime conditions for major wildfires.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had announced in May that Spain would implement its largest-ever summer wildfire response this year. According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), Spain saw more than 393,000 hectares (971,000 acres) burn in 2025, marking it as the country’s worst wildfire year in recent history. Globally, fire weather, a combination of heat, drought, and strong winds, is intensifying in various regions, and human-caused climate breakdown is linked to a higher likelihood of fires and larger burned areas in southern Europe.
Fire weather – a combination of heat, drought and strong wind – is increasing in some parts of all continents. Human-caused climate breakdown is responsible for a higher likelihood of fire and bigger burned areas in southern Europe, northern Eurasia, the US and Australia, with some scientific evidence of increases in southern China. Climate breakdown has increased the wildfire season by about two weeks on average across the globe.
