The morning in Cantabria began with alarming news: the region was once again in the spotlight due to a surge of wildfires. Overnight, twenty separate fires ignited, and by dawn, six of them remained out of control. Emergency services quickly mobilized all available resources to contain the flames, but the weather conditions were clearly not in their favor.
The scale of the fires was driven not just by extreme temperatures, which in some areas surpassed 25 degrees, but also by powerful southern winds. Dry air and the lack of rain created the perfect conditions for the flames to spread rapidly. The wind is carrying fire over hills and valleys, forcing firefighters to constantly adapt their tactics, attacking from behind the fire fronts where the blaze is less intense.
The situation is especially critical near Puente Viesgo, where the fire came dangerously close to the CA-170 highway. In the areas of Peñas de Bejes and the La Hermida gorge, there is a risk of landslides, while in Proaño, the flames fortunately retreated from residential homes, even though at first they approached the town’s outskirts.
Meteorologists are not predicting any relief: the cyclone that brought rain to other parts of northern Spain has bypassed Cantabria. No rainfall is expected in the coming hours, meaning firefighters will have to rely solely on their own efforts. Yellow and orange alerts remain in effect across the region due to winds reaching up to 110 km/h in some areas. These conditions are only fueling the fire, preventing it from dying down.
The issue of arson and human involvement
Local residents and forestry workers note that such surges in wildfires are not uncommon in the fall. During this period, when the fields have yet to soak up moisture after the summer and rains are delayed, some farmers resort to setting fires to clear pastures for livestock. However, in conditions of strong wind and heat, these actions can lead to disastrous consequences, quickly getting out of control and threatening not only the environment but also infrastructure.
All available resources are now focused on containing the remaining hotspots. Emergency crews are working around the clock to prevent the fire from spreading to residential areas and major roads. Authorities urge residents to remain calm but to be prepared for possible evacuation if the situation worsens.
It is still unclear when the situation will be fully under control. Firefighters and volunteers continue to battle the flames, hoping weather conditions will soon change in their favor and help bring an end to the disaster.
