Volunteer Firefighter Dies as Wildfires Rage Across Heat-Stricken Spain

Firefighters work to extinguish a wildfire in the village of Vilaza, near Verin, Ourense province, northwestern Spain, on August 12, 2025. (AFP)

A firefighting volunteer died from severe burns, while several people were hospitalized as dozens of wildfires fueled by strong winds and scorching heat continued to rage across Spain on Wednesday.
At least six large wildfires were still out of control on Wednesday, according to regional emergency services.
The victim, a 35-year old volunteer, had been attempting to create firebreaks near the town of Nogarejas, in the north-central Castile and Leon region, when he became trapped in the blaze, regional officials said.
The fire had two active fronts that were still out of control, as weather services forecast another day of strong winds and electric storms.
Over 5,000 people have been evacuated in the region, which is Spain's largest, and efforts were being concentrated on preventing the flames from reaching smaller towns.
Environment Minister Sara Aagesen told SER radio station that many fires across the country were suspected to be intentionally caused by arsonists due to their "virulence", but that it was too early to quantify these.
On Monday, another fire had killed a man working at a horse stable on the outskirts of the Spanish capital Madrid and reached some houses and farms before it was contained.
Northwestern Galicia's regional leader Alfonso Rueda said the situation there was "complicated" and that the weather "isn't helping", as six active fires affected a combined 10,000 hectares in Ourense province.
Weather agency AEMET forecast "extreme" risk of wildfires across Spain on Wednesday.