
Two killed, 12 injured in ongoing wildfires across Spain
Authorities said one victim died after suffering severe burns in a forest fire in Tres Cantos, Madrid, while the other, a volunteer, lost his life battling a blaze in Castile and Leon. The Spanish government activated a pre-emergency phase to enhance coordination and mobilize resources, as six major fires remain active across six autonomous regions, including Castile and Leon, Castilla-La Mancha, Galicia, Extremadura, Andalusia, and Madrid. The fires have destroyed 59,000 hectares of forest and woodland so far this year, matching the total area burned in all of 2024. — KUNA

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Arab Times
3 hours ago
- Arab Times
Wildfires ravage Europe in worldwide heat waves
MADRID, Aug 14, (Xinhua): Record heatwaves have turned Europe into a sweltering sauna above 40 degrees Celsius as raging wildfires sweep many countries on high alert. The extreme summer heat has created favorable conditions for rampant wildfires, which have already killed several people, displaced thousands and forced firefighters to battle blazes across large parts of Europe. In France, a heatwave broke temperature records in the southwest, with maximums up to 12 degrees Celsius above normal, before spreading to the center-east and northeast of the country. "Often remarkable, even unprecedented maximum temperatures, often 12 degrees above normal levels, were reached this Monday," Meteo France said Tuesday in a press release. The intense heat, combined with dry winds and rare rainfall, has created ideal conditions for fueling wildfires, which have erupted across southern Europe and the Balkans. In Croatia, air temperature records were set in Sibenik, at 39.5 degrees, and Dubrovnik, at 38.9 degrees, while large forest fires raged along its coasts and ripped through neighboring countries in the Balkans. In Spain, for example, a lightning-sparked wildfire near Madrid killed one man, forced hundreds of residents to evacuate, and scorched about 1,000 hectares of land, while a second fire in the southern resort town of Tarifa prompted around 2,000 people to flee, and additional blazes in Zamora and Castilla y Leon forced hundreds more to leave. A fire map published on the website of national broadcaster RTVE shows widespread fire activities across the country, with orange and red indicators marking both active fires and affected zones. Authorities are requesting help from European partners as Spain faces its 10th consecutive day of a record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures peaking at 45 degrees. The country is ready to seek more help from European allies, such as more firefighters, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska was quoted by local media Cadena SER as saying on Wednesday. Meanwhile, wildfires continue to scorch northern Portugal, with more than 1,300 firefighters and 16 aircraft busy battling flames, one of which has been burning for 10 days.


Arab Times
3 hours ago
- Arab Times
Kuwait to see extreme heat of 47-49°C and humid nights this weekend
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 14: The Meteorological Department (MD) has warned that Kuwait will experience very hot weather during the day and hot to relatively humid conditions at night over the coming weekend. The country will be affected by a hot, relatively humid air mass, particularly over coastal areas, starting Friday. This shift in weather will bring a possibility of light fog in some areas, especially along the coastline, during the late hours of the night and early morning. Dharar Al-Ali, acting Director of the Meteorological Department, told KUNA that Thursday's weather will be scorching, with northwesterly winds blowing at speeds ranging from 8 to 38 kilometers per hour. The sky will see some high clouds, and temperatures are expected to reach between 47 and 49 degrees Celsius. The sea will be light to moderate, with waves ranging between one and five feet. As for the weather tonight, Al-Ali stated that it will be hot to very warm, with variable northwesterly winds at speeds of 8 to 28 km/h. There will be some high clouds, and the minimum temperatures will range between 32 and 34 degrees Celsius. The sea will remain light to moderate, with waves between 1 and 3 feet. Looking ahead to Friday, the heat will intensify, especially in coastal areas, with a relatively humid air mass. Winds will shift from northwesterly to southeasterly, blowing at speeds of 10 to 38 km/h. Expect scattered clouds and maximum temperatures between 46 and 48 degrees Celsius. The sea will again be light to moderate, with waves between 2 and 5 feet. The evening of Friday will bring hot to warm conditions, with humidity increasing in coastal areas. Winds will be variable and southeasterly, with light to moderate speeds ranging from 6 to 28 km/h. There is also a chance of light fog in some coastal areas. Minimum temperatures are expected to hover between 29 and 31 degrees Celsius, while the sea will have waves between 1 and 4 feet. Saturday's weather will be similarly very hot and relatively humid, particularly in coastal areas. Winds will be southeasterly and light to moderate, ranging from 8 to 35 km/h. Maximum temperatures will reach between 45 and 47 degrees Celsius, with the sea remaining light to moderate, with waves between 1 and 5 feet. At night, Saturday will bring continued hot and humid conditions, especially along the coast. The weather will be partly cloudy, with variable northwesterly winds at speeds of 8 to 30 km/h. Minimum temperatures are expected to range between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius. The sea will remain light to moderate, with waves between 1 and 4 feet. The Meteorological Department advises the public to remain cautious of the extreme heat and potential fog, particularly in coastal areas, and to stay hydrated during the hot days ahead.

Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Kuwait Times
Two killed, 12 injured in ongoing wildfires across Spain
MADRID: Spanish state television reported Wednesday that dozens of wildfires continue to sweep through Spain, leaving two people dead and 12 others injured, including two firefighters, and destroying lands. Over 6,000 residents were evacuated as fires coincided with an intense heatwave gripping the country for the past 11 days, expected to persist until next Monday. Authorities said one victim died after suffering severe burns in a forest fire in Tres Cantos, Madrid, while the other, a volunteer, lost his life battling a blaze in Castile and Leon. The Spanish government activated a pre-emergency phase to enhance coordination and mobilize resources, as six major fires remain active across six autonomous regions, including Castile and Leon, Castilla-La Mancha, Galicia, Extremadura, Andalusia, and Madrid. The fires have destroyed 59,000 hectares of forest and woodland so far this year, matching the total area burned in all of 2024. — KUNA