Record Wildfires Rage Spain, Portugal Killing At Least Seven

Southern Europe is enduring one of its worst wildfire seasons in decades, with Spain and Portugal severely affected by record-breaking fires fueled by extreme heat. In Spain, over 343,000 hectares have burned so far this year, surpassing the previous worst year of 2022, while Portugal continues to battle multiple large fires with thousands of firefighters deployed. The situation has led to several fatalities, including firefighter deaths in both countries, and ongoing risks to local populations. Maltese firefighters, deployed as part of an EU aid program, have been actively assisting Portuguese teams in combating the widespread blazes, demonstrating European solidarity. The President of the Portuguese League of Firefighters is set to present proposals to President Marcelo to improve the nation's firefighting system, emphasizing the need for greater autonomy and coordination among firefighting and civil protection agencies amid escalating wildfire crises. Despite the severity of the fires and operational challenges, the Portuguese government has not yet declared a national state of emergency.