Spain, alert for risk of forest fires and high temperatures

The risk of forest fires will continue to be very high or extreme in large parts of the country over the next few days.

From Sunday and especially during the next week an episode of very high temperatures is expected. In addition, today, Friday, there is a significant risk of rain and storms in Navarra, Huesca and Zaragoza.

The National Plan of Preventive Actions for High Temperatures has been activated.

More updated information at Civil Protection, AEMET and the Ministry of Health.

The Directorate General of Civil Protection and Emergencies of the Ministry of the Interior, in accordance with the forecasts of the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), warns of the risk of forest fires and high temperatures in large parts of the country. In addition, today, Friday, there is a significant risk of rain and storms in Navarre, Huesca and Zaragoza, with a forecast of 30 litres/m2 in 1 hour, hail and very strong gusts of wind.

The risk of forest fires will remain very high or extreme over the next few days. All precautions should be taken to avoid the outbreak of forest fires and if a fire is discovered at the outset, call 112 immediately.

An episode of very high temperatures is expected from Sunday 9 and especially during the next week. The areas most likely to be affected are the southern and south-eastern third of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands, without ruling out areas in the centre of the peninsula and the Ebro valley.

Exceeding 40ºC in some areas provoke forest fires 

On Sunday, it is likely to locally exceed 40ºC in the Guadalquivir valley and parts of eastern Andalusia and the southern plateau, and 36ºC in the interior of the Balearic Islands and the Ebro valley.

From Monday onwards, it is likely to exceed 38ºC across the board, and locally 40ºC, in the south-eastern quadrant of the peninsula and parts of the Ebro valley. In areas of the Guadalquivir valley, temperatures could already exceed 42ºC on that day. In inland areas of the Balearic Islands, temperatures could also exceed 38ºC.

Minimum temperatures will also be very high, with tropical nights above 20ºC, and even locally above 25ºC in the southeastern half of the peninsula, especially in the southeastern third, and in the Balearic Islands.