Spanish Prime Minister: "Difficult and complex" hours await us in the battle to contain wildfires

Madrid, July 27 (KUNA) -- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned on Monday that the coming hours would be “difficult and complex” in the battle to contain wildfires ravaging several regions of the country as a new heat wave approaches. During a visit to the Advanced Operations Command Center for wildfire response in Castellón province, in eastern Spain’s Valencia region, Sanchez urged residents to exercise the utmost caution and called on those affected to remain patient and comply with authorities’ instructions. He noted that the scale of destruction reflects the severity of this year’s fires, pointing out that the area burned since the beginning of the year had risen to 172,396 hectares, roughly six times the area consumed by wildfires during the same period in 2025. The fire in Castellón, which broke out last Saturday, continues to spread uncontrollably, having destroyed more than 7,200 hectares. Authorities have evacuated approximately 16,000 people from 18 towns, while around 75,000 others have been ordered to shelter in place. The measures aim to protect residents from health hazards caused by thick smoke blanketing the area and to facilitate the passage of emergency vehicles on major roads. The Spanish Meteorological Agency has warned that a new heat wave beginning Wednesday, accompanied by erratic winds, could increase the risk of fires reigniting or expanding in the coming days. (End) H.N.D./N.S.A.