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President Pedro Sánchez has announced that during the Council of Ministers meeting on Tuesday August 26, many of the areas devastated by wildfires across Spain will be declared emergency zones under Civil Protection. Speaking from Jarilla in Cáceres, Sánchez said, “Many areas suffering from fires will be declared affected by a Civil Protection emergency.” This step will unlock immediate support to help the affected communities recover from the damage.

 

He added, “Once the fires are extinguished and the economic impact known, the government will contribute to reconstruction with state resources.” The announcement followed visits to several fire-stricken regions including Ourense and Villablino in León, while another visit is planned to Molezuelas de la Carballeda in Zamora.

 

The President of the Spanish government was accompanied by Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska and Extremadura’s regional president María Guardiola when he made the announcement from the advanced command post managing the Jarilla fire, which has destroyed more than 15,500 hectares and forced evacuations.

 

Sánchez affirmed, “The State is all of us,” underscoring the importance of nationwide solidarity. He also called for “institutional loyalty, shared loyalty and solidarity between territories and countries,” citing the 2022 Conference of Presidents in La Palma where plans to strengthen the civil protection system were agreed.

 

Sánchez warned that despite the easing of the heatwave currently battering Spain, “difficult hours lie ahead” and urged everyone to heed official advice.

 

The President linked the increasing severity of wildfires to climate change, highlighting the recent heatwave as the longest recorded since 1975. “The climate emergency is worsening,” he said, pushing for a State Pact on climate policy set to be proposed to social groups in early September. This pact aims to better prepare regions with tools and mechanisms to reduce the impact of future emergencies.

 

In a related development, the Guardia Civil arrested a 47-year-old man suspected of causing a fire in Vilardevós, Ourense, that destroyed around 578 hectares in early August. The blaze affected seven towns, forcing lockdowns in some, and resulted in two minor injuries. The fire was declared extinguished on August 8.

 

With the government formalising emergency zones and planning comprehensive support, Spain’s recovery from the devastating fires is set to begin. Sánchez’s emphasis on cooperation and climate action underscores the ongoing challenges the country faces from increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters.

 

 

Image: wikicommons