In July 2026, a wildfire in Spain's Almería province became one of the country's deadliest on record, killing 13 people, including at least five believed to be British. The fire tore through the Los Gallardos area, burning 7,000 hectares of land in a matter of hours, and exposing the dangers posed by increasingly frequent and intense wildfires in southern Europe.
The blaze started on Thursday 9 July when a power line broke in a roadside ditch, sparking a small fire. Fanned by winds of up to 50 km/h (30 mph), the flames raced up a hillside and across dry scrubland, reaching 10 miles in just two hours. More than 1,500 people were evacuated, including about 600 from the village of Bédar. Among the dead were four people found in a right-hand drive car—likely British, according to the vehicle's steering wheel position. A 93-year-old British woman died in hospital on Sunday from burns covering 20% of her body. Two British hikers were rescued alive with 40% burns, found by Civil Guard officers who heard their cries after a second sweep of the area.
“Why wildfires in Spain are becoming deadlier and what Britons need to know.”
Spain has suffered frequent and severe heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C. In June 2026, more than 1,000 excess deaths were attributed to heat. While wildfires are a natural part of Mediterranean ecosystems, hotter, drier conditions—linked to climate change—make them more explosive and harder to control. The Spanish government has warned that wildfires are becoming more common and more dangerous.
For British readers, the risks are personal. Hundreds of thousands of Britons live in or visit Spain, especially in coastal areas like Almería. Many are elderly, like the 93-year-old victim, and may not have clear evacuation plans. Survivors in Bédar complained that they received no phone alerts about the fire, despite receiving earthquake alerts. Local authorities said some victims did not follow evacuation orders, but relatives and survivors dispute this, saying no clear instructions were given. This highlights a gap in emergency communication that Britons abroad need to be aware of.
Q: What caused the wildfire in Almería? The fire began when a power line broke in a roadside ditch. The small blaze was rapidly spread by 30 mph winds across 7,000 hectares of dry vegetation, reaching the mountainous region of Los Gallardos and the village of Bédar in two hours.
Q: How can Britons staying in Spain stay safe from wildfires? Check local emergency guidance on arrival, register with the British embassy's travel advice service, and ensure your phone is set to receive emergency alerts. In Spain, regional authorities like Andalusia's emergency services issue warnings; ask your accommodation provider for local evacuation procedures. Avoid entering forested areas during heatwaves or high fire risk.
Q: What is being done to prevent wildfires in Spain? Spain has increased firefighting resources, including military reinforcements, and invests in prevention through controlled burns and power line maintenance. However, extreme heat and drought conditions driven by climate change make prevention harder. Authorities are reviewing early warning systems after the Almería fire; survivors called for mobile phone alerts similar to earthquake warnings.
What happens next? Spanish authorities are conducting autopsies and DNA tests to identify all victims. The search for 23 missing people continues, and the death toll may rise. Officials are also investigating the response and communication failures, with locals demanding better emergency planning.
