IN PICTURES: Wildfires cause devastation across Spain

Catastrophic wildfires have been sweeping across Spain this week, causing havoc and forcing thousands to flee their homes.

Deadly wildfires have been raging across Spain for several days now, causing two deaths, dozens of injuries and damage to thousands of hectares of forests.

Firefighters work to extinguish a wildfire in the village of Vilaza, near Verin, Ourense province. Photo: MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP

The situation is particularly serious in Ourense, where several fires have forced the closure of the high-speed line between Madrid and Galicia. In total, more than 11,500 hectares have burned in Galicia alone.

Wildfire Spain.

A resident uses a hose to try to extinguish a wildfire in the village of Covas, near Puebla de Trives in the province of Ourense, northwestern Spain, following a wildfire on August 13, 2025. Photo: MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP

In León and Zamora, fires are still raging in Yeres and Molezuelas de la Carballeda. In these areas in particular, firefighters have been complaining about the the appalling working and professional conditions in which they are forced to work.

Firefighters battle a wildfire near the village of Abejera in Zamora province on August 13, 2025. Photo: Cesar Manso / AFP

More than 8,000 people have had to spend the night away from their homes in these areas and shelter in schools such as this one in La Baneza.

Residents displaced by wildfires receive food and shelter at a sports hall in La Baneza in the province of León, northern Spain. Photo: CESAR MANSO / AFP

On August 12th a man died from burns and thousands of people were forced to evacuate as wildfires swept through parts of Spain, fuelled by strong winds and a searing heat wave that has gripped the country for 10 days.

A wildfire approaches as citizens are told to evacuate in Losacio, north of Zamora. Photo: Cesar Manso / AFP

In Tres Cantos, a wealthy suburb north of Madrid, flames driven by gusts of up to 70 kilometres per hour spread quickly through the area on Monday night. One resident who suffered severe burns died in a hospital, and another person was injured. Hundreds of residents were evacuated.

This photograph shows burnt trees following a wildfire on the outskirts of Tres Cantos, north of Madrid. Photo: Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP

In Castilla y León, dozens of blazes were reported, including one threatening Las Médulas, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its ancient Roman gold mines. The head of the regional government, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, vowed "to act quickly and generously" once the fire is over to restore the site "to its full glory as soon as possible".

This picture taken from the Orellana viewpoint shows the Roman-era mining site of Las Médulas in the municipality of Carucedo, after a wildfire ravaged the area. Photo: Cesar Manso / AFP

A total of 199 forest fires already this year have burned 98,784 hectares EFE reported news agency reported. This is more than double the 42,615 hectares lost during the same period last year, when 219 blazes were recorded.