WILDFIRES in Spain have already exceeded expectations, with more than double the amount of land burned so far this year compared to the same period two years ago.
Fires burned 163.3 square kilometres across Spain in the first four months of 2026, data from the Ministry for Ecological Transition (MITECO) reveals.
This is 2.2 times higher than the 72.2764 square kilometres burned during the same period in 2025.
The statistics underline growing concerns over the intensity and frequency of wildfires in Spain.
Despite the sharp increase, the total area destroyed remains 29.6% below the average recorded over the last decade.
MITECO recorded a total of 2,624 fire incidents nationwide during the first four months of the year.
Most of these were small fires affecting less than 0.01km 2.
However, authorities also registered three major wildfires which each consumed more than 5km 2.
Northwestern Spain was the hardest-hit area and accounted for 50.8% of all fire incidents.
The Mediterranean region represented 13.15% of cases, while inland communities accounted for 35.82%.
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In terms of wooded areas, 54.01% of the affected land was in the northwest.
The Mediterranean saw 21.54% of damage while inland communities accounted for 24.44%.
MITECO figures show 21.95 square kilometres of wooded forest were destroyed.
Flames also claimed 96.96 square kilometres of scrubland and 44.39 square kilometres of pasture.
The figures highlight the significant impact wildfires continue to have on Spanish ecosystems.
Experts have warned that rising temperatures and prolonged droughts are increasing risks across southern Europe.
Authorities expect to intensify prevention efforts in the northwest before the summer season begins.
Firefighters continue to stress the importance of forest management to reduce the impact on rural communities.
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