After a devastating wildfire near Los Gallardos, Pedro Sánchez and Juan Manuel Moreno met in Almería. Both leaders stressed the urgent threat of climate change and warned of more severe fires ahead. Their joint appearance signals a rare moment of unity.
In the aftermath of a deadly wildfire that swept through the area around Los Gallardos in Almería, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Andalusian President Juan Manuel Moreno met publicly on Monday, sending a clear message about the escalating risks of climate change in southern Spain. Their joint appearance at the Turre fire station, the operational hub during the emergency, comes just ten days after the Partido Popular (PP) and Vox reached a controversial agreement in Andalusia, which included climate change skepticism in its terms.
The fire, which raged for four days before being brought under control, left 13 people dead and forced hundreds to evacuate. Although the burned area—between 6,000 and 7,000 hectares—is not the largest in the region's history, the speed and intensity of the flames, combined with the difficult terrain, made this incident exceptionally deadly. Residents of Bédar, the hardest-hit village, returned to homes surrounded by scorched earth after days of displacement.
During their joint statement, both Sánchez and Moreno set aside recent political tensions to focus on the immediate crisis. Moreno, who recently signed a government pact with Vox that explicitly rejected “impositions of ideological agendas in environmental matters,” surprised many by opening his remarks with a direct reference to climate change. He highlighted that the area burned this summer is already three times greater than last year’s figure, warning that Andalusia faces a particularly harsh season ahead.
Moreno attributed the increased fire risk to an unusually rainy year that led to dense undergrowth, which has since dried out and become fuel for wildfires. He also called for public vigilance, urging citizens to report smoke or suspicious activity, noting the ongoing threat posed by arsonists. The PP-Vox agreement does include commitments to strengthen wildfire prevention and prioritize funding for fire control, but the contrast between recent political rhetoric and Monday’s statements was notable.
Sánchez echoed the call for unity and preparedness, proposing public education initiatives on how to respond to fires and emphasizing that the climate emergency is a direct threat to lives. Both leaders praised the work of local authorities and emergency services, and expressed support for affected families and municipalities. Sánchez specifically pointed to the cooperation between local, regional, and national governments as essential in responding to such disasters.
The joint appearance comes against a backdrop of political friction between the PP and PSOE, especially after last year’s failed attempt at a national pact on wildfire prevention. The image of unity in Almería stands in contrast to recent exchanges between party officials in Madrid, underlining the gravity of the current crisis.
Wildfires have become an increasingly urgent issue in Spain, with experts linking their frequency and severity to rising temperatures and changing land use. The abandonment of traditional farming and grazing practices has left rural areas more vulnerable, as undergrowth accumulates and maintenance declines. According to official data, Spain has seen a steady increase in the area affected by wildfires over the past decade, particularly in regions like Andalusia and Extremadura.
Spain’s government has responded by increasing investment in fire prevention, updating emergency protocols, and promoting public awareness campaigns. However, the challenge remains significant, especially as climate patterns shift and rural depopulation continues. The events in Almería highlight the need for coordinated action at all levels of government, as well as the importance of community involvement in early detection and response.
