Third Death in Spain Linked to Wildfires: A New Tragedy in Castile and León
Wildfire Claims Life in Castile and León Amidst Intense Heat Wave
A new forest fire has claimed the life of one individual in the Castile and León region of northwest Spain, authorities announced this Thursday. The victim, who was involved in firefighting operations in the province of León, specifically in the Valdería region, marks the third person to lose their life due to the wildfires ravaging the country this summer.
The announcement was made by the Prefect of Castile and León, Nicanor Sen Vélez, via social media platform X. The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, confirmed the information on public television, extending his condolences to the family of the victim, as well as to colleagues and the general population. He also stated that he had requested assistance from the European Union as early as Wednesday evening, particularly in the form of two Canadair firefighting aircraft.
Currently, Spain is grappling with eleven level 2 wildfires (on a scale of 4), necessitating military intervention and the deployment of additional resources. One of the most concerning hotspots is located in Zamora, also in Castile and León, where vast stretches of forest have already been consumed by flames.
This latest tragedy adds to the toll of Tuesday’s incidents: a man who was severely burned in Tres Cantos, near Madrid, and a 35-year-old volunteer who perished while battling a fire in the same province of León. Several other individuals have also sustained serious injuries.
This dramatic turn of events comes as Spain endures a relentless heatwave that has lasted for twelve days. All regions of the country are under alert, with daytime temperatures soaring to 40 °C and nighttime temperatures exceeding 25 °C, further complicating efforts to control the wildfires.
