Spanish wildfires trigger explosions from Civil War-era ordnance

Firefighters in France and Spain sought on Monday, July 28, to take advantage of more favourable weather conditions to contain massive wildfires threatening the city and tourist region of Bordeaux as well as multiple areas in neighbouring Spain, as authorities, quoted by Reuters, warned of another approaching heatwave later this week.

The fires come amid an exceptionally hot and dry summer across Western Europe. Authorities have evacuated about 220,000 people in France, including residents and tourists, while in Spain roughly 100,000 people have been ordered to leave their homes or seek shelter.

In Bordeaux, French President Emmanuel Macron praised emergency responders but cautioned that the crisis is far from over. “We must hold on. We are going to win this battle together. The whole nation is behind you,” he said.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said the country is experiencing an unprecedented wildfire season, with the area burned already exceeding the previous record set in 2022. “The fight against wildfires begins with prevention. Nine out of 10 fires are human-caused and most arise from carelessness: a cigarette butt, a barbecue, work carried out without precaution,” he wrote on X.

In Spain, firefighters faced additional hazards in Vall d'Uixo in Castellon province, where unexploded ordnance from the Spanish Civil War can detonate when exposed to flames, according to regional fire chief Chevi Bolumar. Meanwhile, in France, blazes that broke out last week near the Atlantic coast came within 15 kilometres of Bordeaux’s main metropolitan area. Local officials said 80 firefighters have been injured.

Authorities reported that the spread of fires in central Spain slowed overnight, although a major blaze in Castellon remained out of control. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the situation as part of a broader climate crisis. “What we're experiencing isn't a succession of isolated events. It's the most painful expression of a climate emergency that is making sixth-generation wildfires more ferocious, heatwaves more frequent, and our territory more vulnerable,” he said.

An evacuee in Castellon, Maria Angeles Serrano, highlighted the emotional toll. “Material damage is one thing, but that can be repaired, so to speak. What really hurts is the emotional loss.”

Despite the scale of the fires, Bordeaux’s vineyards remain unaffected so far, though officials warn drought remains a major concern for the wine industry. In Spain, three active fire fronts continue northwest of Madrid, including one in Avila described as the largest wildfire in the country’s history.

Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska warned: “Today and tomorrow are absolutely crucial days in tackling this wildfire. From Wednesday onwards, weather forecasts become significantly more unfavourable.”

Temperatures in affected regions are expected to rise again later this week, potentially reaching 37°C in the Bordeaux area, after July averages already ran about 6°C above historical norms.

By Tamilla Hasanova