Spain: Massive fire engulfs over 32,000 hectares, evacuating residents of 34 villages

Firefighters in central Spain are battling a forest fire that has consumed more than 32,000 hectares (79,000 acres), making it one of the largest fires recorded in the country’s history.

The blaze broke out in a rural area of the Guadalajara province, less than two weeks after a fire destroyed a small expatriate settlement in southern Spain. That earlier fire, though limited in area, was highly intense and killed 13 people, including several foreigners, in one of the deadliest forest fires in the history of the southern European nation.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the fire-ravaged area in Guadalajara on Wednesday and called for a cross-party pact to combat climate change.

Speaking in the village of Tamajón, located less than two hours’ drive northeast of Madrid, Sánchez said, “Year after year, we clearly see how climate change is killing and destroying the wealth of our communities. This is not a political issue; it is a matter of science and facts.”

About 34 villages in the area were evacuated, but there were no reports of serious injuries or deaths. More than 200 firefighters received support from ground vehicles and aircraft during firefighting operations on Wednesday.

Spain has already experienced 22 major forest fires this year. A major fire is defined as one that consumes more than 500 hectares (1,235 acres).