IGSU: Over 10,000 vegetation fires in the first eight months of 2026

Firefighters responded to 10,653 vegetation fires in the first eight months of 2026, between January 1 and August 31, according to the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations. The number is 4,066 lower than during the same period in 2025, when 14,719 interventions were reported, representing a decrease of approximately 28%.

There were also fewer forest fires. This year, firefighters responded to 436 cases, compared with 582 in the first eight months of 2025, a reduction of approximately 25%.

However, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations warns that more than 10,000 interventions still represent a worrying tally. The risk increases during periods of high temperatures, drought and wind, when a fire lit to burn dry vegetation can quickly spread to forests, agricultural land, households or inhabited areas.

To prevent fires, the institution is running the national campaign “DO NOT IGNITE THE DANGER! BURNING DRY VEGETATION IS PROHIBITED!”. The General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations recommends that people refrain from burning dry vegetation and not leave fires unattended.