Spain Wildfires Claim Second Firefighter’s Life as Police Arrest Suspected Arsonists

 

Spain’s wildfire crisis deepened this week as a second volunteer firefighter died while battling flames in León province. The 37-year-old, identified as Jaime Aparicio, suffered burns to 85% of his body after becoming trapped with a colleague during an attempt to create firebreaks near the town of Nogarejas. His fellow firefighter, Abel Ramos, died the day before from injuries sustained in the same incident. The fatalities bring the total number of deaths linked to wildfires in Spain this year to seven. Meanwhile, police have arrested a man in Zamora province accused of starting a blaze that destroyed 4,000 hectares, as well as another man suspected of provoking six separate fires in Málaga earlier this month. Authorities said 10 people have been arrested for arson since June 1, with 38 more under investigation. Convicted arsonists face up to five years in prison and heavy fines.

Spain is enduring one of its worst fire seasons in two decades, with about 148,000 hectares burned so far in 2025 more than a quarter of the total fire damage across the European Union this year. The fires are being fuelled by one of the longest heatwaves on record, along with strong winds and dry conditions. In Galicia, three firefighters remain in critical condition after sustaining severe burns. Around 170 children and staff at a summer camp had to be confined to the grounds on Tuesday when a blaze cut power to the facility. They were later evacuated to a water park for safety. According to the Interior Ministry, Spain has requested and received assistance from European partners, including two water-bombing planes from France. Nearly two dozen wildfires continue to burn nationwide, forcing the evacuation of about 9,500 people while hundreds more have been told to remain indoors. The situation remains critical as firefighters battle the blazes amid extreme weather, with officials warning that the risk will remain high in the coming days.

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