Greek Aircraft Join Spain’s Battle Against Devastating Wildfires

Two Greek Canadair CL-415 firefighting aircraft have joined the battle against devastating wildfires sweeping across Spain, operating under the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). The two aircraft took off on Sunday, July 26, from the Torrejón military air base near Madrid and immediately joined firefighting operations in the Burgohondo area of Ávila province, around 115 kilometres west of the Spanish capital. The Greek Canadairs are expected to continue water-dropping operations in the region throughout the day, supporting Spanish emergency crews battling one of the country’s most challenging wildfire fronts in recent years.

Images and video from the operation show the difficult conditions facing the Greek crews, with extreme temperatures, drought and strong winds complicating firefighting efforts. The wildfire burning in the Burgohondo area has already destroyed around 50,000 hectares of forest, with Spain’s Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, Sara Aagesen, describing it as the largest wildfire recorded in the country since official records began.Advertising1 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Aagesen warned that Spain is experiencing an “extremely complex” wildfire season. According to ministry figures, fires have destroyed approximately 153,000 hectares since the start of the year — six times more than during the same period in 2025 — with 32 major forest fires recorded.

Firefighting operations are focusing heavily on the area around the San Juan reservoir, where emergency teams are working to prevent flare-ups and stop the fire from spreading north. Madrid government spokesperson Francisco Martín said protecting the area remains a key priority, while Major General Alfonso Arribas of Spain’s Military Emergency Unit (UME) said the main fire fronts around Madrid and Ávila have been contained, although several active hotspots remain. Greece’s assistance forms part of European solidarity efforts to tackle extreme wildfires affecting southern Europe this summer.

France, Spain and other countries are facing severe fire conditions due to prolonged drought and record-high temperatures. Advertising1 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The post Greek Aircraft Join Spain’s Battle Against Devastating Wildfires appeared first on Greek City Times.