LOS GALLARDOS, Spain — Firefighters in Spain's southeastern Almería province shifted to an offensive strategy against one of the country's deadliest wildfires after improved weather conditions created what regional authorities described as a window of opportunity to attack the flames directly.
Antonio Sanz, the Andalusian government's head of emergencies, said crews began moving from largely defensive operations to direct firefighting after overnight winds eased and humidity increased, allowing firefighters to engage the blaze more aggressively. Until then, rapidly changing fire behavior had forced emergency services to prioritize protecting populated areas and containing the fire's advance.
The wildfire has killed at least 12 people and is among Spain's deadliest in recent years. Authorities have carried out autopsies on all recovered victims, although formal identification remained ongoing. Officials have also reported that more than 20 people were still unaccounted for, while investigators continued search operations in affected areas.
Despite the tactical shift, Sanz cautioned that the fire remained complex and continued to advance in some sectors. He credited firefighters with preventing the blaze from crossing a highway toward more densely populated coastal communities, limiting the threat to larger population centers.
The blaze has burned about 6,600 hectares (16,300 acres) of forest and farmland, according to regional authorities. Nearly 500 personnel, including firefighters from Andalusia's Infoca wildfire service, Spain's Military Emergencies Unit, Forest Fire Reinforcement Brigades and local emergency services, were deployed alongside aircraft and heavy equipment. Officials said favorable weather conditions, including light winds and higher humidity, were expected to support suppression efforts.
Authorities said more villages were evacuated overnight as a precaution, bringing the number of displaced residents to around 1,400. Emergency shelters remained open while officials assessed when it would be safe for residents to return. Two people were arrested after allegedly entering or remaining in evacuated areas despite official restrictions.
The fire spread rapidly after breaking out near Los Gallardos, fueled by strong winds and hot, dry conditions during Spain's summer wildfire season. Authorities have said the cause remains under investigation. Earlier reports cited a possible power line failure, but officials have not confirmed the origin of the blaze and the utility involved has disputed that explanation.
Emergency officials said firefighting operations would continue while weather conditions remained favorable, with search teams and forensic specialists also working to identify victims and account for those still missing.
