Spanish Provinces Extend Fire Emergency until August, with New Heat Wave Expected

Some Spanish provinces have extended a state of fire emergency until August, with the expectation of a new heat wave, according to the Spanish newspaper El Pais.

Jose Luis Martinez Giugiaro, Vice President of Castilla Della Mancha Province, announced the application of the fire emergency until August 1, saying, "We have received notification from the State Meteorological Agency of an upcoming heat wave, and we believe it is necessary to extend the prevention measures."

Galicia also plans to issue a comprehensive decree to protect the aid it gives to those affected by the fires in recent days, and gives between 7,000 and 15,000 euros to owners of houses destroyed by the fires.

Also, Pedro Sanchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, announced that more than 500 people had died due to the heat wave that hit the country.

Sanchez said thousands of firefighters were struggling to contain wildfires raging in France, Spain, and Portugal, which have destroyed large areas and forced the evacuation of thousands of residents.