Almería Wildfire

Late on July 9, 2026, a wildfire broke out in a semi-arid area near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains in Almería province, southern Spain, close to the town of Los Gallardos. Fueled by an extreme heatwave, tinder-dry scrubland, and strong winds, the blaze tore through a remote expat community, giving residents little time to escape.

At least 12 people have been confirmed dead, with 23 others reported missing and 8 injured as of July 10. Regional emergency officials said most of the deceased died after ignoring shelter-in-place instructions and attempting to flee on foot or by car; several were caught when a dry riverbed they used as an escape route became, in officials' words, a "death trap." Many of the victims are believed to be foreign nationals, with four thought to be British citizens based on the right-hand-drive vehicle in which they were found. The fire has consumed more than 3,200 hectares (7,900 acres) of forest and farmland and remained active as of Friday afternoon.

Approximately 150 firefighters and 220 soldiers from Spain's Military Emergencies Unit (UME) are battling the blaze. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez offered condolences over what he called the fire's "terrible consequences." The disaster comes as multiple wildfires burn simultaneously across Spain, Portugal, and Greece amid a prolonged Mediterranean heatwave. Humanitarian organizations including the Spanish Red Cross are supporting affected residents with shelter, first aid, and psychosocial care as search efforts continue for the missing.