SPAIN AND PORTUGAL BRACE FOR INTENSE HEATWAVE AS WILDFIRE RISKS SURGE
Read Time:1 Minute, 18 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
Spain and Portugal are preparing for a fresh wave of extreme heat sweeping across the Iberian Peninsula, with temperatures forecast to soar well above seasonal averages and authorities issuing high wildfire alerts.
Spain’s national weather agency, Aemet, warned on Sunday that the heatwave could persist until at least next Sunday, with temperatures expected to rise between 5°C and 10°C above normal levels. In some regions, such as Extremadura in the west and Andalucia in the south, temperatures could reach a scorching 42°C.
Portugal has extended its nationwide wildfire alert until Thursday as emergency crews continue battling multiple blazes amid hot, dry, and windy conditions. Lisbon authorities have classified the wildfire risk as “very high.”
In northwestern Spain, firefighters are working to contain a fire near the town of Vilardevos that has already consumed approximately 570 hectares (1,400 acres) of land.
READ MORE:
PETER RUFAI TO BE LAID TO REST AUGUST 22 AS PFAN CALLS FOR STATE HONOURS
According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), more than 25,700 hectares of land have already been destroyed by wildfires in Portugal since the beginning of 2025.
Experts continue to link the growing intensity and frequency of such extreme weather events to climate change, citing the persistent burning of fossil fuels as a major driver.
Authorities in both countries are urging residents to remain vigilant, avoid outdoor fires, and stay hydrated as the region braces for one of the hottest and most dangerous weeks of the summer.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0