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Newsweek
a day ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Spain Deploys 500 More Soldiers as Wildfires Rage Across Europe
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Spain has deployed an additional 500 military personnel to combat devastating wildfires as scorching temperatures continue to fuel blazes across the country. The deployment brings Spain's total military firefighting force to 1,900 troops, marking one of the largest emergency responses in recent years. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the reinforcement during a press conference in Ourense, one of the hardest-hit regions, as authorities struggle to contain 20 major wildfires nationwide. Newsweek previously reached out to Portugal's National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority and the European Forest Fire Information System for comment via email. Why It Matters The fires come amid record-high temperatures in the region, with dry landscapes and materials further fueling fires from Greece to Portugal, marking one of the region's worst fire seasons on record. The European Union (EU) has sent firefighting planes to help battle the blazes, with five countries having requested assistance. The decision to add to the more than 1,400 troops already on wildfire duty came as authorities struggled to contain forest blazes. Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate from their homes across the region, and hundreds have been injured across countries. Residents try to battle a wildfire in the village of Santa Baia de Montes in the province of Ourense, northwestern Spain on August 14, 2025. Residents try to battle a wildfire in the village of Santa Baia de Montes in the province of Ourense, northwestern Spain on August 14, 2025. MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images What To Know Spain's wildfire crisis has reached critical levels with fires burning across multiple regions simultaneously. In Galicia's village of Villardevos, residents have resorted to fighting flames with water buckets after losing electricity needed to power water pumps. The situation has become so desperate that locals organized their own firefighting efforts when professional resources couldn't reach their area. Portuguese authorities report that about half of this year's burned area—approximately 77,500 hectares—was consumed in just the past three days, according to Reuters. The largest Portuguese blaze is burning near Piodao, a popular tourist destination in the country's mountainous central region. Another fire in Trancoso has been raging for eight consecutive days. Spanish authorities have identified a troubling human factor in the crisis: since June, 27 people have been arrested, and 92 others are under investigation for suspected arson. What People Are Saying AccuWeather wrote in an August 14 X post: "Europe is facing its worst wildfire season on record as deadly wildfires rage across France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Albania. More than 2.4 million acres have burned across Europe." Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote in a Saturday X post: "All my encouragement and strength to the four injured members of @UMEgob in the Yeres fire, in León, and to their families. I thank them for their effort and dedication and hope they recover soon." The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) wrote in a Friday X post: "This Friday, very high or extreme fire danger in most of the country. The danger will remain at very high or extreme levels during the weekend and Monday, days when the heatwave affecting us since the beginning of the month continues." People run by a burnt area during a wildfire near the village of Larouco, in the province of Ourense, in northwestern Spain on August 13, 2025. People run by a burnt area during a wildfire near the village of Larouco, in the province of Ourense, in northwestern Spain on August 13, 2025. MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images What Happens Next? Weather forecasters predict temperatures may begin dropping from Tuesday, potentially providing firefighters with more favorable conditions. Spanish authorities are awaiting additional international assistance, including two Dutch water-dumping aircraft and firefighting teams from other EU countries under existing cooperation agreements. The reinforcements will join French and Italian aircraft already supporting Spanish operations. Portuguese authorities expect the arrival of two Swedish firefighting planes, while the country's national wildfire alert status was scheduled to end Sunday. Reporting includes information from Reuters and the Associated Press.
Toronto Sun
3 days ago
- Climate
- Toronto Sun
Spain on heat alert and 'very high to extreme' fire risk
Published Aug 15, 2025 • 3 minute read Spain's weather agency said there was a 'very high to extreme risk' of wildfires on Friday. Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP Madrid (AFP) — All of Spain was on heatwave alert on Friday, while the weather agency warned that much of the country was at 'very high to extreme risk' from wildfires. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The situation had improved for several other southern European countries, but Greece was still fighting fires on one Aegean island. Much of Spain has already endured nearly two weeks of high temperatures, and on Friday the searing heat spread to Cantabria, which had so far been spared. Temperatures in the northwestern region were forecast to pass 40C, said Aemet, the national weather agency. The risk of fires on Friday and over the weekend into Monday was 'very high or extreme in most of the country', it added. Spain has endured a devastating season of fires, with 157,501 hectares (389,193 acres) reduced to ashes since the start of the year, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS). Yet that figure is still well short of 2022, when more than 306,000 hectares went up in smoke. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Three people have died during the fires, including two young volunteers in their thirties who lost their lives trying to put out a fire in the Castile and Leon area. One of them, Jaime Aparicio Vidales, was buried in the town of Quintanilla de Florez, Zamora province, Castile and Leon, on Friday. 'Nothing left to burn' On Thursday morning, France sent two water-bombing planes to help try to douse the flames in the northwestern region, where a dozen fires were still raging. The railway line between Madrid and the northwestern region of Galicia remained closed as well as some 10 main roads in the country. Marco Raton, 35, works on a pig farm in Sesnandez de Tabara near one of the fires in Castile and Leon that forced several thousand people to flee their homes. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He said he and his friends did not think twice when they saw the fire arrive on Tuesday and grabbed 'everything we had — backpacks, fire bats and garden hoses — put on appropriate clothing and went over to help'. Volunteer firefighter Jaime Aparicio Vidales was buried on Friday. (CESAR MANSO/AFP) Photo by CESAR MANSO / AFP 'As soon as we arrived, we started seeing burned people being evacuated, a car on fire, a burning tractor, warehouses, garages,' he told AFP, adding that he felt 'helpless'. Raton said he thought there was 'nothing left to burn' after devastating fires in the same region in 2022 but he said he was convinced that 'this will continue to happen to us year after year'. Angel Roman, the mayor of Ferreruela, said he believed that fire breaks cleared of brush should be established around the villages. 'The countryside, if it's clean, can stop the fire,' he added. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialist PSOE party and the conservative PP have clashed in recent days over the crisis, with regional administrations normally tasked with putting out forest fires. The central government only intervenes in major incidents and can call on an emergency military unit, which has been in high demand as reinforcement. The PP accuses the government of having cut the number of air assets, something the PSOE has denied, accusing some opposition leaders of staying on holiday while their regions burned. Elsewhere in southern Europe, lower temperatures and reduced wind were helping to improve the situation in Greece and the Balkans, where rain was forecast in many parts of the region. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Firefighters remained in Patras, Greece's third-largest city, due to 'scattered' fires and were on the look-out if any reignite. The most active was still on the Mediterranean island of Chios, in the northeastern Aegean Sea, where eight aircraft have been deployed to try to douse the flames. The risk of fire remained high in the Attica region that includes the capital, Athens, and the southern Pelopponese peninsula, the Civil Protection agency warned on Friday. In Albania, initial government estimates said thousands of cattle had been killed and 40 homes destroyed in just three days of wildfires. Other Sports World Canada Sunshine Girls Wrestling
Scotsman
24-07-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Warning after surge in Asian hornet sightings
The sting is often compared to a red hot needle 🐝 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... There has been a rise in confirmed sightings of Asian hornets across the UK. The Asian hornet is said to have an incredibly painful sting. Members of the public are being warned following a rise in sightings. There has been a rise in confirmed sightings of Asian hornets, with members of the public being warned to stay vigilant. Asian hornets are believed to have arrived in France on a shipment from China in 2004. They are an invasive species which pose a significant threat to many of the UK's native insects, including honey bees. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There have been 37 confirmed sightings of Asian hornets, also known as yellow-legged hornets, in 2025, mainly in Kent, Hampshire, Sussex and Shropshire. There have been 182 confirmed sightings since 2016. This figure includes a total of 119 nests, all of which were destroyed. The Asian hornet is said to possess one of the most painful stings known to man, often compared to being stabbed by a red-hot needle. Members of the public are being warned not to destroy Asian hornet nests. | MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images What does an Asian Hornet look like? The yellow tailed hornet, also known as the Asian hornet, has a slightly different appearance to wasps and other hornets - most prominently, it has a distinctive black/dark body, with a wide orange stripe on the fourth abdomen section and yellow leg ends. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What should you do if you see an Asian Hornet? If you see an Asian hornet you should report this immediately, do not try to approach or tackle the hornet yourself, as they are generally seen as more aggressive than wasps and will potentially sting unprovoked. The government have a dedicated reporting system, so that sightings or locations of nests can be recorded and then removed by the invasive species team. If you suspect you have seen an Asian hornet, take a picture if you can do this safely and provide details of the location it has been spotted. You can then either report this by filling out the online report form, or through the app 'Asian Hornet Watch', which is available on both iPhone and Android, alternatively, you can also contact the team by e-mail. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking in May 2024, Defra's Chief Plant and Bee Health Officer Professor Nicola Spence said: 'By ensuring we are alerted to possible sightings as early as possible, the public can help us take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by Asian hornets. 'Please continue to be vigilant for any Asian hornets and if you think you've spotted one, report your sighting through the Asian hornet app or online.' Why should you never destroy an Asian Hornet's nest? You should never approach or attempt to destroy an Asian hornet's nest. Whilst, they are not usually aggressive towards people, they can be if they perceive a threat to their nest. The Asian hornet is said to possess one of the most painful stings known to man, often compared to being stabbed by a red-hot needle. It is vital that if you see a nest you do not attempt to destroy it and instead contact the relative authorities so it can be recorded and properly managed. You can find out more about Asian hornets, what they look like and how to report a sighting at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
Scotsman
24-07-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Warning after surge in Asian hornet sightings
The sting is often compared to a red hot needle 🐝 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... There has been a rise in confirmed sightings of Asian hornets across the UK. The Asian hornet is said to have an incredibly painful sting. Members of the public are being warned following a rise in sightings. There has been a rise in confirmed sightings of Asian hornets, with members of the public being warned to stay vigilant. Asian hornets are believed to have arrived in France on a shipment from China in 2004. They are an invasive species which pose a significant threat to many of the UK's native insects, including honey bees. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There have been 37 confirmed sightings of Asian hornets, also known as yellow-legged hornets, in 2025, mainly in Kent, Hampshire, Sussex and Shropshire. There have been 182 confirmed sightings since 2016. This figure includes a total of 119 nests, all of which were destroyed. The Asian hornet is said to possess one of the most painful stings known to man, often compared to being stabbed by a red-hot needle. Members of the public are being warned not to destroy Asian hornet nests. | MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images What does an Asian Hornet look like? The yellow tailed hornet, also known as the Asian hornet, has a slightly different appearance to wasps and other hornets - most prominently, it has a distinctive black/dark body, with a wide orange stripe on the fourth abdomen section and yellow leg ends. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What should you do if you see an Asian Hornet? If you see an Asian hornet you should report this immediately, do not try to approach or tackle the hornet yourself, as they are generally seen as more aggressive than wasps and will potentially sting unprovoked. The government have a dedicated reporting system, so that sightings or locations of nests can be recorded and then removed by the invasive species team. If you suspect you have seen an Asian hornet, take a picture if you can do this safely and provide details of the location it has been spotted. You can then either report this by filling out the online report form, or through the app 'Asian Hornet Watch', which is available on both iPhone and Android, alternatively, you can also contact the team by e-mail. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking in May 2024, Defra's Chief Plant and Bee Health Officer Professor Nicola Spence said: 'By ensuring we are alerted to possible sightings as early as possible, the public can help us take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by Asian hornets. 'Please continue to be vigilant for any Asian hornets and if you think you've spotted one, report your sighting through the Asian hornet app or online.' Why should you never destroy an Asian Hornet's nest? You should never approach or attempt to destroy an Asian hornet's nest. Whilst, they are not usually aggressive towards people, they can be if they perceive a threat to their nest. The Asian hornet is said to possess one of the most painful stings known to man, often compared to being stabbed by a red-hot needle. It is vital that if you see a nest you do not attempt to destroy it and instead contact the relative authorities so it can be recorded and properly managed.
Toronto Sun
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
At Pamplona's San Fermin festival, a tiny minority of those who run with bulls are women
Published Jul 13, 2025 • 2 minute read Participants run ahead of La Palmosilla breed bulls during the seventh running of the bulls of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 13, 2025. Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP via Getty Images PAMPLONA, Spain — Dressed in the traditional bull runner's garb of a white shirt and red neck-scarf, Yomara Martinez, 30, sprinted in the death-defying morning run or 'encierros' taking place this week in the northern Spanish city of Pamplona. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Yet despite being in a crowd of thousands, Martinez was among only a handful of women daredevils running with the stampeding bulls at the San Fermin Festival. 'At the end of the day, the bull doesn't know about sexes, age or body shape,' Martinez said. 'It doesn't matter if you are woman.' Every year, thousands of people line the medieval streets of Pamplona to witness the centuries-old tradition of running with bulls. Many watch from balconies and wooden barricades along the course. Millions more follow the spectacle on television. Women bull runners are rare, though Martinez and other women taking part in the adrenaline-fueled tradition as more than mere spectators say it's growing in popularity. 'There are times I feel small. And ask myself 'what am I doing here?' Because, although you may not want to, you do feel slightly inferior because of your physique,' said 32-year-old Sara Punal, an administrator who took part in Sunday's run. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'But in the moment, you are all equal,' Punal said of the run. The bulls pound along the twisting cobblestone streets after being led by six steers. Up to 4,000 runners take part in each bull run, which takes place over 846 meters (2,775 feet) and can last two to four minutes. The expert Spanish runners try to sprint just in front of the bull's horns for a few seconds while egging the animal on with a rolled newspaper. Gorings are not rare, but many more people are bruised and injured in falls and pileups with each other. 'I think many have a desire to see what it feels like but they don't try because of fear,' said Paula Lopez, 32, a shop assistant who also took part in a run earlier in the week. Lopez said she grew up in the masculine world of bull fighting. She wasn't fazed by how few women take part in the event. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It's complicated, but it is pretty exciting,' Lopez said. The event's reputation took a hit years ago following complaints by women about having suffered sexual harassment and abuse from revelers. In 2016, five men raped an 18-year-old woman during the festival in an infamous case that sparked an outcry across Spain. The men, who had a WhatsApp group named 'La Manada,' or 'The Animal Pack,' were imprisoned for 15 years by the Supreme Court in 2019. Since then, organizers have said they've stepped up security measures. Women didn't participate in the bull runs until 1975 due to a decree repealed one year earlier that prohibited women, children and the elderly from being in the streets where the bulls run during the festival. The spectacle was made internationally famous by Ernest Hemingway's classic 1926 novel 'The Sun Also Rises,' about American bohemians wasting away in Europe. — Naishadham reported from Madrid. Golf Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA Toronto Raptors Toronto & GTA
