The Spanish government has declared several regions as severely affected by emergencies related to civil protection due to wildfires and flooding that occurred between the twenty-third of June and the twenty-fifth of August. This declaration allows victims to rapidly claim all forms of assistance available through legislation. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska assured that both citizens and institutions can count on the government to provide necessary support for recovery.

The declaration includes all areas impacted by any of the one hundred and thirteen large wildfires recorded over the summer, alongside five territories hit by isolated high-level depressions or heavy rainfall at the end of June. A total of sixteen autonomous communities are covered by this declaration. Grande-Marlaska emphasised that since fifteen large wildfires remain active, it would be premature to estimate the total damage, although he acknowledged the potential for a significant environmental disaster this year.

The recent wildfires occurred in three major waves, the first of which began in late June, the second starting on the seventh of July, and the ongoing third wave commencing on the eighth of August. This last wave has coincided with the most intense heatwave on record since official records began in nineteen seventy-five, as stated by Grande-Marlaska. The Spanish government had proactively activated phase one of the National Emergency Plan following the announcement of nine serious wildfires.

In their recent statements, both Grande-Marlaska and the Minister of Education, Vocational Training, and Sports, Pilar Alegría, expressed condolences to the families affected by the fires and solidarity with the over thirty-five thousand individuals forced to evacuate their homes. They acknowledged the critical work of those involved in firefighting and rescue operations, including firefighters and military units, ensuring support throughout this crisis.