MADRID, Aug. 11 — Hundreds of residents have been evacuated as multiple wildfires continue to blaze the northwestern Spanish region of Castilla y Leon, with authorities battling dozens of flames fueled by extreme heat and dry conditions.
One of the most serious fires, which began on Saturday afternoon, has reached the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Las Medulas, an area known for its historic Roman gold mines and rich natural woodland.
Residents of Las Medulas and nearby Carucedo and Orellanwere were evacuated over the weekend. “We are surrounded; the town is encircled by flames,” Carucedo Mayor Alfonso Fernandez told regional digital media outlet LeonNoticias, calling the situation devastating for the community.
Another wildfire forced an evacuation of around 850 people in the province of Zamora. Local emergency services reported progress in containing the fire, aided by heavy machinery and overnight efforts.
Castilla and Leon recorded more than 30 wildfires of varying size over the weekend, as Spain endures one of its longest and most intense heatwaves since records began in 1975.
Temperatures in the region exceeded 35 degrees Celsius. Fires have also been reported in the northern region of Navarra and the southwestern province of Huelva.
According to the European Forest Fire Information System, over 46,000 hectares of land have been burned in Spain so far in 2025.
That loss is likely to increase, with the heatwave expected to continue through at least next weekend. (Xinhua)
