Overview

• Protection Civil reports 14 priority blazes nationwide, with nine in Castilla y León, three in Asturias and one of major concern in Galicia, and says the next 48 hours could be decisive thanks to lower temperatures and higher humidity despite troublesome winds.
• The Ecological Transition Ministry defends a state deployment available since June of 56 aircraft, 11 helitack brigades with about 600 firefighters, four prevention teams and seven mobile analysis units, with the UME working on eight of the 14 active incidents.
• Provisional data to 21 August indicate 362,463 hectares burned this month across Spain, with about 158,000 hectares in Galicia, and the ministry warns of significant damage to protected areas and species.
• The Xunta will open 16 assistance offices across Galicia to guide applications and accelerate payments, with the goal of allowing residents and entities to begin requesting aid from Saturday.
• A European Court of Auditors finding cited by PSdeG says Galicia planned maintenance on fewer than a third of firebreaks in 2024, intensifying prevention debates as farmers in Zamora urge active land management and outline aid of at least €5,500 per professional, rising to €18,000 based on assessed losses.