The European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) relies on satellite imagery provided by Copernicus to forecast fire activity. Its latest update reports that Spain has reached a cumulative 222,800 hectares burned so far this year, reflecting an 11.2% rise from July 23.
These figures indicate that Spain is facing a severe crisis, marking one of the strongest fire waves in the historical record managed by EFFIS, which started in 2006. Through 2012, fires affected 189,376 hectares; later, 2017 recorded 130,920 hectares. Based on records dating back to 1968 on the Spanish Ministry of Ecological Transition website, the worst fire year in Spain’s history was 1985, with 484,475 hectares burned. In 2012, 218,956 hectares burned.
When looking at historical peaks, certain events stand out. The largest fire in Spain’s recorded history, with around 30,000 hectares burned, occurred between Minas de Riotinto in Huelva and Berrocal in Seville, during 2004, after notable incidents in 1978, 1989, and 1994.
From a satellite data perspective, the hectares affected by fire in Spain since January have tripled the 2006–2021 average of 66,965 hectares. The figures also surpass total burned in 2021 (84,827 hectares), 2020 (61,099), and 2019 (63,853).
Spain was the country most affected by the fires
According to the same source, Spain has been the European country most affected by fires this year, followed by Romania (149,362 hectares), Portugal (52,436), France (42,941), Croatia (30,934), and Italy (31,987). By contrast, the nations with the highest percentage of land destroyed by flames show Romania at 0.63%, Portugal at 0.57%, Croatia at 0.54%, and Spain at 0.44%.
The estimates from EFFIS lie well above those reported by the Spanish Government, which records 122,000 hectares burned since the year began, based on data from autonomous communities. That total is 52,000 more than the figure reported on July 10. Ecological Transition notes that it can take years to determine a fire’s true impact, and field data is essential for greater certainty.
Among the most devastating fires in the recent two and a half weeks, the blaze near Losacio in Zamora reportedly consumed more than all of 2021. According to Junta de Castilla y León predictions based on Copernicus images, the fire affected about 36,000 hectares and caused multiple fatalities.
However, the exact area that has been burned may still be revised downward if some zones within the burnt region are not fully confirmed. If confirmed at the final tally, it would rank as the largest fire in Spain since records began and would add tens of thousands of hectares to the mid-June Sierra de la Culebra reserve, which was impacted by a lightning strike near Losacio.
Additionally, thousands of hectares burned in fires across Carballeda de Valdeorras (Orense), Folgoso (Lugo), Ateca (Zaragoza), Los Realejos (Tenerife), Bages (Barcelona), and Casas de Miravete as well as Ladrillar (Las Hurdes) and Jerte in Extremadura highlight the widespread geographic impact of this crisis.