Massive Fire in Spain Forces Residents of 34 Villages to Evacuate

SadaNews - Firefighters in central Spain are battling a wildfire that has consumed more than 32,000 hectares, in one of the largest recorded fires in the country's history.

The fire broke out in a rural area of the Guadalajara region less than two weeks after a fire destroyed a small expatriate gathering in southern Spain.

This fire, which was limited in size but extremely fierce, resulted in the deaths of 13 people, including several foreigners, in one of the deadliest wildfires in the history of the southern European nation.

On Wednesday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the fire-ravaged area in Guadalajara and called for a charter among political parties to combat climate change.

Sanchez stated in the village of Tamajón, located less than two hours' drive northeast of Madrid: "Year after year, we clearly see how climate change kills and destroys wealth in our communities. This is not a political issue; it is a matter of science and facts."

Approximately 34 villages in the area have been evacuated, but there have been no reports of serious injuries or fatalities.

More than 200 firefighters received support from ground vehicles and aircraft during the firefighting operations on Wednesday.

Spain has already seen 22 significant wildfires this year, with a major fire defined as one that consumes more than 500 hectares.