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Spain is enduring the most intense day of its first summer heatwave, with five provinces on red alert and temperatures nearing 42°C Source: Euronews. The epicenter of the heat is in the north, with red warnings for inland areas of the Basque Country and Cantabria, while Andalusia also raises alerts to red Source: Euronews. Orange warnings are in place across ten regions, including Madrid, where temperatures will hover around 40°C Source: Euronews.
Extreme wildfire risk is a major concern. Forest fires have devastated 37,968 hectares in Spain between 1 January and 14 June 2026, which is 2.8 times the area burned in the same period in 2025 and 24.9% above the last decade's average Source: Euronews. Regions on extreme alert include Catalonia, Castilla-La Mancha, the Valencian Community, and Galicia Source: Euronews.
The traditional San Juan bonfires have been cancelled in dozens of towns. In the Basque Country, the Department of Security declared a pre-emergency and advised against fires near woodland Source: Euronews. Some municipalities like Bilbao have authorized fires only in urban areas on concrete, with reinforced safety measures Source: Euronews.
The heatwave is expected to ease from Thursday, when cooler air will bring temperatures back to seasonal norms Source: Euronews.
“Spain is facing on Tuesday the toughest day of the summer’s first heatwave, with five provinces on red alert and highs nudging 42°C.”
“Forest fires have devastated 37,968 hectares in Spain between 1 January and 14 June 2026, according to the latest data from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO).”
“In the Basque Country, the Department of Security declared a pre-emergency situation and advised local councils to avoid lighting fires near woodland.”