Spain Activates 1,900 Troops Amid Wildfire Outbreak

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AUG 18

Above: Firefighters battle wildfires in Vilarino village, Carballeda de Avia municipality, Spain, during the third week of heatwave alerts, as they combat northwest and west blazes, on Aug. 17, 2025. Image copyright: Miguel Riopa/Contributor/AFP/Getty Images

story last updated AUG 18

The Spin

Pro-government narrative

The massive deployment of troops and international assistance demonstrates effective crisis management during one of Europe's worst wildfire seasons in decades. Spain's coordinated response, including 1,900 military personnel and aircraft from multiple EU nations, shows how proper resource allocation can tackle natural disasters. The government's proactive measures, like evacuations and rail service suspensions, prioritize public safety over economic concerns.

Dw.Com ABC news

Government-critical narrative

Despite deploying nearly 2,000 troops and receiving international aid, Spain struggles to contain fires that have already burned an area the size of London. The extreme temperatures continue hampering firefighting efforts, while desperate villagers resort to fighting flames with water buckets when official resources fail to reach them. Climate change is making Europe twice as vulnerable to such disasters, suggesting current response measures may be insufficient.

Voice of America Guardian

Climate-skeptic narrative

During heatwaves and fire episodes, climate alarmism often runs amok despite data often being cherry-picked or out of context. All too often, climate alarmist slants are designed to lead towards obstructionist energy policies. These bad-faith narratives must be kept in mind when there are inevitable wildfire and heatwave situations.

New York Post

Metaculus Prediction

There is a 49% chance that wildfires will destroy a total exceeding 10Mha of global tree cover in any year before 2031, according to the Metaculus prediction community.