Spain deploys more troops as wildfires rage during record heatwave

Spain is throwing everything it’s got at the wildfires tearing through the country. Another 500 soldiers from the military emergency unit have been deployed, bringing the total to nearly 1,900 troops helping firefighters on the ground. The blazes are hitting hard during a brutal heatwave that’s been cooking Spain for over a week.

“There are still some challenging days ahead, and unfortunately, the weather is not on our side,” Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said at a press conference in Ourense, one of the worst-hit areas in Galicia.

Galicia alone is dealing with 12 major fires near the city of Ourense. “Homes are still under threat, so we have lockdowns in place and are carrying out evacuations,” Alfonso Rueda, the head of Galicia’s regional government, warned.

Planes and helicopters from other EU countries are expected to join soon, but locals are already frustrated. “The fireplanes come in from all sides, but they don’t come here,” resident Basilio Rodriguez told Reuters.

Meanwhile, the heatwave isn’t helping. Spain’s weather agency AEMET said temps could spike up to 45°C (113°F) in some places. Authorities in Galicia have told people to mask up and stay inside to avoid smoke and ash. Train services between Madrid and Galicia were also suspended because of the fires.

Across southern Europe, this summer is shaping up to be one of the worst wildfire seasons in decades. In Spain alone, three people have died in the past week, and more than 1,150 square kilometers (445 square miles) have burned. Portugal is also in crisis, with 1,550 square kilometers (600 square miles) scorched so far this year, half of it in just the last three days. Thousands of firefighters and dozens of aircraft are scrambling to keep flames from spreading in tourist areas and small towns.

Authorities in Spain have arrested 27 people and are investigating 92 others for suspected arson since June. For now, both countries are hoping for cooler weather and international reinforcements to ease the pressure.