Fires have already increased by 218% so far this year, and summer has not yet arrived

Wildfires reported in Spain rose sharply to 127 between Jan. 1 and May 15, 2026, up from 40 in the same period of 2025.

That is a 218% increase in fire starts, but the burned area, 12,946.66 hectares, remains 29.6% below the 10-year average.

The main concern is not just the number of fires, but their concentration in a few very large blazes.

Officials and fire services face growing pressure to stay prepared ahead of the summer wildfire season.