Today, the Council of Ministers of Spain will consider designating large areas affected by devastating fires and floods this summer as disaster zones. In addition, the government plans to approve a comprehensive aid program for the regions at the epicenter of these climate-related disasters.
The list of affected areas will include almost all autonomous communities, except the Basque Country, Ceuta, and Melilla. Among them are Castilla y León, Galicia, Extremadura, Asturias, Andalucía, Catalonia, Madrid, Comunidad Valenciana, Murcia, Castilla-La Mancha, Cantabria, Aragón, Navarra, La Rioja, Canary Islands, and Balearic Islands.
Support measures include direct payments to victims, tax relief, and simplified administrative procedures to speed up the restoration of infrastructure. Particular attention will be given to those who have lost homes or property, as well as to business owners whose enterprises have suffered damage.
Authorities note that over the past three months, Spain has faced extreme weather events: sixth-generation wildfires with vast perimeters and sudden floods uncharacteristic for this time of year. Since the beginning of August alone, more than a hundred major fires have been recorded, with the burned area exceeding 400,000 hectares. Among the hardest-hit regions are Castilla y León, Galicia, Extremadura, and Madrid.
In addition to emergency measures, the Council of Ministers will consider a new royal decree establishing standards for regional and municipal wildfire prevention plans. According to the law, these plans must be updated annually, but their approval was delayed due to complex negotiations and only recently received endorsement from the Council of State.
Among the tragedies this summer was a fire in Lleida (Catalonia), which claimed two lives and sent a cloud of smoke 14 kilometers high. In other regions, such as Aragón, Catalonia, and the Valencian Community, heavy rains and hail have caused severe flooding and evacuations.
The government emphasizes that the current disasters are linked to the effects of climate change and intends to continue its efforts to help the country adapt to new risks. Before the Council of Ministers’ meeting, the Prime Minister will convene a session to discuss climate policy and the transition to sustainable energy.
Financial support will be provided in accordance with current legislation. Specifically, payments of up to 18,000 euros are allocated in the event of death or total disability, compensation for destroyed homes up to 15,120 euros, as well as payments for damaged property and common elements of apartment buildings. Businesses and farms are also eligible for tax relief and exemptions from certain fees.
Authorities are also considering exempting compensation payments from income tax and waiving fees for restoring documents and registering vehicles damaged by natural disasters.
Similar measures have previously been implemented following major disasters, but the current scale of damage requires special attention. Authorities emphasize that support will continue, as the full extent of the summer fires and floods has yet to be assessed.
