The fourth heatwave already complicates the containment of the serious fires in Spain

MadridThe arrival of the fourth heatwave already threatens to complicate the containment tasks of the serious fires in Spain. The increase in temperatures once again places the danger of fires at "very high or extreme", according to Aemet. We cannot let our guard down. However, the Spanish government has acknowledged that the situation is "favorable" in the case, for example, of the fire in Ávila, Madrid, and Toledo. "These are decisive hours in a complex context," said the Spanish president, Pedro Sánchez, this Wednesday morning, after attending a new meeting of the State Committee for Coordination and Direction of the State Emergency Plan (Cecod) in Navalcarnero (Madrid).

At the moment, the fire affecting Madrid and Ávila remains in operational situation 3, which means that the state government is leading the coordination of extinction tasks. On the other hand, the Toledo fire has already moved to operational situation 2. In parallel, the other major fire of concern is the one devastating La Vall d'Uixó, in the north of the Valencian Country, which has already burned more than 10,000 hectares.

As reported by Sánchez, this Wednesday morning there were up to 10 forest fires counted in the State. The Spanish president highlighted the "extraordinary" work of all those who are working on extinction tasks. Also of those who have helped in the reception of evacuated neighbors, some of whom are already returning to their homes. "The response is commendable," said Sánchez. The head of the Spanish executive also asked for "a little patience and confidence" from those citizens who have not yet been rehoused. "We want it to be done with the maximum guarantee and safety. I ask for patience and understanding," he reiterated.

"We are in the task of containing the fire and cooling to prevent a resurgence. The next twelve hours will be decisive in consolidating [this containment]," said Sánchez, who acknowledged that this heatwave does not help. Aemet has warned that temperatures will rise again across the State this weekend, as it is expected that the heatwave will last until Sunday at least. "It is likely that the heatwave will be long and extend into next week," warned the state agency. This, added to the decrease in humidity, drought, and wind speed, makes the risk of fire increase even more.

The truth is that heatwaves have not only become more successive episodes, but more extreme: temperatures are higher and last for more days. They have also anticipated their arrival in the calendar. "Fires of great complexity hand in hand with climate change that gives no respite and that advances makes the extinction of these [fires] more difficult," pointed out the third vice-president and minister for Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, in a press briefing.

Aagesen once again called for a state pact for the Climate Emergency and later it was Pedro Sánchez himself who did so. The Spanish government states that it is a "priority" and pressures the PP to commit to it. However, the Spanish executive does not contemplate Sánchez calling or meeting with Alberto Núñez Feijóo to address it. Since the beginning of the year, more than 170,000 hectares have already burned across the State.