Almería Wildfire Is Contained, Letting 1,500 Evacuees Return After 12 Deaths
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 13
Almería Wildfire Is Contained, Letting 1,500 Evacuees Return After 12 Deaths
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 13
Summary
About 1,500 evacuees in Spain’s Almería province were cleared to return home after officials said the wildfire had been contained within its perimeter and no longer threatened to spread.
Juan Manuel Moreno, head of Andalucía’s regional government, said roughly 600 people returned late Saturday and the remaining 1,000 would go back in stages as the fire came under control.
The blaze killed at least 12 people as they tried to flee, and officials have said many victims may be foreign nationals, including several Britons.
A Belgian victim’s son disputed authorities’ account that residents ignored shelter-in-place advice, telling Reuters no guidance was given before people ran when flames were almost upon them.
Pedro Sánchez is due to visit the devastated area on Monday as western Europe endures another extreme-heat spell that has intensified wildfire risk across the region.
As Europe's cities become deadly ovens, are green spaces and warning systems enough to prevent a future of mass casualties?
Beyond the tragic death toll, which industries will thrive by re-engineering Europe for a permanently hotter climate?
Tragedy in Almeria: The 2026 Los Gallardos Wildfire’s Human Toll, Causes, and Lessons for Spain’s Future
Overview
The Los Gallardos wildfire, one of the deadliest in Spanish history, caused at least 12 confirmed fatalities and forced about 1,500 residents to evacuate their homes. As of July 13, 2026, the full human impact was still being assessed, with authorities and the community responding to the devastating scale of the disaster. Favorable conditions on July 11 allowed around 600 people to return home after a period of intense uncertainty. The widespread grief and ongoing recovery efforts highlight the severe toll and the urgent need for improved emergency response and preparedness in the face of such catastrophic events.