Hundreds of firefighters backed by helicopters and planes were still struggling Saturday to contain the Almería wildfire, one of Spain’s deadliest in years after it killed at least 12 people.
66 square kilometers of forest and farmland have burned since the fire broke out late Thursday near the Sierra de Los Filabres, though lighter winds and higher humidity were helping crews and favorable conditions were expected into Sunday.
1,448 people were evacuated from 11 areas, and authorities said nearly all homes along the fire perimeter were undamaged despite the blaze advancing at up to 100 meters a minute at its peak.
Most victims are believed to be foreign nationals who ignored shelter-in-place orders; seven died on foot after abandoning cars, and four are thought to be British pending identification from autopsies and DNA samples.
Spain linked the fire’s ferocity to a climate emergency as Western Europe endures its third heat wave in six weeks, with wildfire risk still rated very high this weekend.
With a record prevention budget, why did Spain's 'powder keg' forests still erupt into a deadly inferno?
Officials blame a 'climate emergency,' but could a faulty power line be the true culprit behind 12 deaths?
As wildfires become inescapable 'death traps,' are traditional evacuation strategies now dangerously obsolete?
Spain’s Almería Wildfire 2026: Human Tragedy, 3,800 Hectares Lost, and the Escalating Threat of Climate-Driven Fires
Overview
As of July 11, 2026, the Almería wildfire remains a major crisis, with emergency services working tirelessly to contain the blaze and help affected communities. Authorities have confirmed multiple deaths, including six in the Los Gallardos area, and rescue operations are ongoing as some people remain missing. Forensic teams are using DNA analysis to identify victims, with samples sent to Madrid and relatives providing reference samples. The fire’s rapid spread, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, has forced over a thousand people to evacuate, highlighting the severe human and environmental impact of this disaster.