Spain wildfires burn thousands of hectares amid extreme heat

Spanish authorities said Sunday that a wildfire that broke out Thursday in a forested, mountainous area of Guadalajara province, about 100 kilometers north of Madrid, has already burned more than 12,000 hectares.

Meanwhile, a large fire that started Wednesday near Zaragoza has ravaged nearly 16,000 hectares and, according to the latest reports, has not yet been extinguished. No injuries have been reported in either fire.

Earlier this month, Spain experienced one of its deadliest wildfires in recent history. A blaze in Almeria province claimed 13 lives and burned 7,000 hectares.

In recent years, Spain has seen longer and more frequent heat waves, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Scientists say human-induced climate change is increasing the duration, intensity, and frequency of these heat waves, drying out vegetation and creating conditions conducive to wildfires.