Authorities closed a portion of the well-traveled Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route on Monday as the deadliest wildfires to hit Spain in at least 20 years expanded to the southern slopes of the Picos de Europa mountain range. Defense Minister Margarita Robles told Cadena SER radio, “We haven’t had a fire situation like this in 20 years.”
In reference to one of the longest heatwaves in the previous 50 years, which saw temperatures reach 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) over the weekend, she continued, “The fires have special characteristics as a result of climate change and this huge heat wave,” which lasted 16 days. Easing is anticipated to begin on Tuesday or Monday evening. With Spain and neighboring Portugal among the most severely affected nations, Southern Europe is going through one of its worst wildfire seasons in 20 years.
According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), it is more than four times the average for the years 2006–2024 and the greatest area on its records dating back to 2006. Robles claimed that heavy smoke was making it more difficult to waterbomb airplanes. 1,900 soldiers from the Spanish army have been sent to assist firemen. About 20 wildfires have destroyed thousands of hectares in the Galician, Castilean, and Leonean regions in the last week alone. Authorities have been forced to suspend rail services in these areas, as well as a 50-kilometer (31-mile) section of the “Camino de Santiago,” an ancient pilgrimage route that thousands of people travel during the summer.
It connects France with Santiago de Compostela, a city on Spain’s western coast where it is believed that the remains of the apostle St. James are interred. Astorga pilgrim Patrice Lepettre, 75, told Reuters that the hikers’ discomfort was only momentary and could not be compared to the situation faced by the residents. “It is catastrophic for the populace. It’s a horrible thing for the locals, but the pilgrims can return home and come back another year to complete the Camino,” he remarked.
The death toll now stands at four after a firefighter lost his life in a truck accident close to the community of Espinoso de Compludo. Regions controlled by the main opposition Partido Popular (PP) have demanded additional funding to combat the flames and criticized the central government for its inadequate planning.
Robles claimed that every available tool had been used. PP spokesman Ester Munoz called Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s Sunday call for a “State Pact” on climate change with all major political parties a “diversion” on Monday. Since June, 92 people have been under investigation for suspected arson, and 27 people have been arrested, according to the Interior Ministry. According to EFFIS, wildfires have burned over 216,200 hectares in Portugal so far this year, which is more than four times the average for this time period from 2006 to 2024. Two persons have also been killed.
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