Twelve dead in Spanish forest fire that has scorched area the size of 9,400 football pitches

More than 500 firefighters and soldiers have been deployed to fight the blaze, working in difficult terrain under hot, dry summer conditions typical of inland Andalusia. Local authorities have urged residents not to return to their homes until the area is declared safe.

The Spanish government has not yet released a confirmed cause for the fire. Officials in Madrid are coordinating the response with the regional government of Andalusia, and additional military units have been mobilised as a precaution.

Government and international response

Germany's political response has also drawn attention. Friedrich Merz, in comments reported by the broadcaster, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and offered assistance from German emergency services, a gesture Madrid accepted.

On the ground in Almería, Antonio Sanz has been overseeing the emergency operation. He said the priority was locating the missing and preventing the fire from reaching further inhabited areas.

What's new since 11 July 2026

What's new since 11 July 2026

Compared with the initial Deutschlandfunk broadcast on 11 July 2026, the most striking new data point is the scale of the destruction. The fire has now consumed an area equivalent to 9,400 football pitches, a figure that underscores how rapidly the blaze has expanded across the dry Andalusian landscape.

The death toll of twelve and the missing-person count of more than twenty were already reported in the earlier version. What has changed since then is the confirmed geographic footprint: the area burned has been quantified, giving a clearer picture of the disaster's magnitude.

The flames were reported still spreading at the time of the latest update, meaning the final toll — both in lives lost and in hectares destroyed — is likely to rise before the fire is brought under control. Evacuation orders remain in place for affected municipalities.

Spanish wildfires in a European context

Spanish wildfires in a European context

Spain experiences dozens of major wildfires each summer, but the Almería fire is among the deadliest in recent years. The combination of high temperatures, strong winds and prolonged drought in southern Europe has made the 2026 fire season particularly severe across the Mediterranean.

European solidarity has begun to mobilise. Belgium and the United Kingdom are among the countries that have offered or deployed firefighting assistance to Spain in past wildfire emergencies, and EU civil protection mechanisms can be activated to coordinate cross-border support.

Spanish authorities have reminded citizens that anyone travelling to or living near forested areas should follow local authority instructions, avoid starting outdoor fires, and keep clear of restricted zones until the emergency is declared over.

Outlook

Outlook

With more than twenty people still unaccounted for and the fire not yet contained, the coming days will be critical. Forecasters are monitoring wind patterns that could either help or hinder containment efforts, while search teams continue to comb affected areas for the missing.