While a relentless heatwave and devastating wildfires transform large parts of Spain into a smoke-filled landscape, an equally fierce conflict is igniting on the political stage. Record-breaking areas in Galicia, Castile and León, Extremadura, and Asturias have already fallen victim to the flames. However, instead of a unified national effort, the clash between the socialist government (PSOE) and the conservative People’s Party (PP) is dominating, blocking effective solutions and poisoning the debate.
Political Bickering Instead of Joint Solutions
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s proposal to forge a state pact against climate change is dismissed by the PP as a mere “smokescreen.” The conservatives accuse the government of trying to distract from its own shortcomings. In turn, the PSOE is ignoring the PP’s demand to significantly increase financial resources for municipalities to fight fires and combat rural depopulation. This mutual obstruction turns urgently needed proposals into political ammunition and prevents a calm, solution-oriented debate on how to prevent a recurrence of this catastrophe.
Sánchez on the Fire Front: Visits to Crisis Regions
Given the dramatic situation, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is traveling today to Extremadura and Castile and León to get a first-hand look at the development of the wildfires in Jarillas (Cáceres) and Molezuelas de la Carballeda (Zamora). These visits are part of his tour of the most affected areas, following his meetings with the respective regional presidents in Ourense and León on Sunday.
🔥 Durante la pasada noche, la @UMEgob ejecutó una quema de definición de perímetro en la #OperaciónOimbra para detener el avance del frente de llama que amenazaba a Soutelo Verde.
— Ministerio Defensa (@Defensagob) August 19, 2025
👨🚒 Una labor compleja y precisa para proteger a la población y salvaguardar el entorno. pic.twitter.com/BkNgxU3DCK
The Situation in Affected Regions Worsens
Castile and León: Countless Fires and Evacuations
The region of Castile and León finds no respite. At least 30 active fires are currently raging, a dozen of which have reached the highest danger level, Level 2. The province of León is particularly affected with nine major fires. In the province of Zamora, the evacuation of thousands of people around Lake Sanabria had to be ordered after a fire advanced uncontrollably. Although emergency services managed to prevent the flames from reaching the villages, the situation remains tense. Hopes are pinned on cooler night temperatures to bring the fire, which is already estimated to cover 5,600 hectares, under control.
Extremadura: Hope in the Fight Against the Giant Blaze
In Jarilla, the fire that broke out a week ago has already devastated an area of over 15,000 hectares with a perimeter of 155 kilometers. Unexpected help in the fight against the flames came from the cherry trees in the Jerte Valley, whose dense foliage slowed the fire’s advance. Massive aerial support is expected today to provide the ground crews with a much-needed respite and help regain control.
Madrid: Night Operation in Colmenar Viejo
The capital region has not been spared either. A fire that broke out on Monday afternoon in Colmenar Viejo required the overnight deployment of eighteen units from the fire department and forest brigades. Several scattered homes had to be evacuated as a precaution. Although the situation is developing positively, the fire is not yet considered stabilized.
Infrastructure at its Limit: AVE and Highways Closed
The impact of the fires is also paralyzing critical infrastructure. For the sixth consecutive day, the high-speed train (AVE) line between Madrid and Galicia remains suspended until at least noon. Dense smoke from the fires in A Mezquita (Ourense) and Padornelo (Zamora) has also forced the complete closure of the A-52 motorway and the N-525 national road in both directions on several sections.
