The Spanish authorities intend to designate the areas affected by the recent wildfires as disaster zones. This was announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez during his visit to Extremadura, where the most destructive fire in the region’s history was recorded—over 15,500 hectares were burned.
A decision will be made at the next Council of Ministers meeting. This status will allow for the rapid allocation of state resources to restore infrastructure and support affected municipalities. Authorities emphasize that aid will be provided after the complete extinguishing of hotspots and an assessment of the economic damage.
The fires in Extremadura have posed a serious challenge for local and national services. In recent days, regional authorities have criticized the central government for a lack of equipment and resources, but now acknowledge that all available forces were mobilized. Pedro Sánchez called for cooperation between all levels of government and highlighted the importance of solidarity between regions and countries in addressing natural disasters.
The Prime Minister reminded that the primary responsibility for wildfire prevention and firefighting lies with the autonomous communities. Nevertheless, the central government is prepared to provide support, including deploying military units, if the situation requires it.
During his visit, Sánchez also reiterated his proposal for a nationwide agreement to combat climate change. He noted that Spain had experienced the longest heatwave in the past fifty years, which worsened the wildfire situation. According to the Prime Minister, the climate challenges require all political forces and institutions to join efforts to develop long-term solutions.
Pedro Sánchez stressed that the fight against the consequences of climate disasters should not depend on political differences. He called on all parties to act responsibly and work for the benefit of citizens, regardless of their political preferences.
In the coming days, the Prime Minister plans to visit other affected regions, including the province of Zamora. Local authorities and residents are expecting prompt assistance and the start of recovery efforts.
The Council of Ministers is expected to officially designate the hardest-hit areas as disaster zones as early as next week. This will help speed up the process of providing compensation and launching programs to restore the economy and infrastructure.
The current wildfire situation is the most severe Spain has faced since the mid-1990s. Authorities emphasize that only joint action by all levels of government and society can help overcome the consequences and prevent such tragedies in the future.
