Large-scale emissions of carbon have been observed in Ourense, León, and Zamora, surpassing the levels seen in Spain since as early as 2003.
Spain's Forest Fires and Their Impact on Public Health
Spain is currently grappling with a severe air quality issue, as fine particle PM2.5 concentrations in a wide region have surpassed the World Health Organization's air quality guidelines. This deterioration is largely due to the wildfires ravaging the northwestern Spanish peninsula, which have led to an exceptional increase in carbon emissions.
These fires, unfortunately, have far-reaching consequences beyond the environment. They contribute to depopulation in areas already severely affected, causing displacement and uprooting, social losses, and reduced access to healthcare services. In the face of such catastrophes, attention to vulnerable people should be a priority. The Spanish Society of Epidemiology (SEE) stresses the importance of ensuring access to medication, adequate food, and psychological support for these individuals.
The SEE has warned that climate change exacerbates the virulence of forest fires and makes them harder to extinguish. This year, Spain has experienced a 16-day heatwave, one of the longest in history, which has put the health of the most vulnerable population at risk. The convergence between large-scale fires, deforestation, and climate change constitutes "a real and growing threat to public health".
The total forest fire emissions of Spain for 2025 have become the highest annual total in the 23 years registered in the CAMS dataset. This smoke has spread beyond Spain's borders, affecting France, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia. The SEE has expressed concern about the wave of forest fires and the high temperatures affecting Spain, which have already devastated more than 300,000 hectares.
The SEE also warns about the risk of food security and malnutrition, access to drinking water, and the risks to outdoor workers and firefighters due to these fires. They emphasize that certain meteorological phenomena such as floods, forest fires, or heatwaves can affect mental health.
Wildfires and other extreme meteorological phenomena are a global threat that requires immediate preparation and response. The SEE underscores the importance of having tools and action plans that integrate a public health perspective. They call for reinforcement, also from public health, of surveillance, prevention, and protection of the population at higher risk: the elderly, minors, homeless or those at risk of housing, or with chronic diseases.
Despite the accumulated carbon emissions from forest fires in Spain being below the seasonal average at the beginning of August, the smoke from these fires has been associated with increases in mortality from respiratory and cardiovascular causes. The SEE warns that these fires emit highly toxic particles that can travel thousands of kilometers and are related to hospital admissions, premature births, and low birth weight.
According to a study by the United Nations Environment Programme, forest fires will increase by 30% by 2050 and by 50% by the end of the century due to the climate crisis. This grim forecast underscores the urgency of addressing the issue and implementing effective strategies to mitigate the impact of wildfires on public health.
In conclusion, the ongoing forest fires in Spain pose a significant threat to public health, necessitating immediate action and a comprehensive approach that integrates environmental, social, and health perspectives.
