Brussels remains on high alert for the risk of new large fires in Europe

Regional governments led by Spain’s Popular Party (PP) have called on Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to increase aerial resources and provide a detailed inventory of national emergency equipment to better manage this year’s record-breaking wildfire season. The request came during a closed-door meeting of the National Council of Civil Protection held via videoconference on Tuesday, where regional officials expressed concerns over the current capabilities of the government’s firefighting fleet. The coordination between the central government and the autonomous regions governed by the PP has been described as “good and fluid,” according to both regional officials and Marlaska. However, several regional representatives argued that more support, centralized resources, and improved coordination were necessary to effectively combat the scale of the wildfires currently burning across multiple regions. Santiago Villanueva, Director General of Emergencies for Galicia’s Xunta, was among the first to speak at the meeting. He urged the Ministry of the Interior to review the application of the Es-Alert emergency warning system in border areas, noting its frequent failure to reach these zones. Villanueva also requested an increase in aerial resources and an extension of the current deployment to ensure broader coverage for the autonomous communities. A key concern raised during the meeting was the shortage of elite firefighting aircraft. According to exclusive information obtained by El Mundo, only seven amphibious FOCA planes are operational under the Ministry of Ecological Transition, despite having promised 10. This shortfall has forced Spain to request four additional aircraft from the European Union. Antonio Sanz, Vice President and Counselor for Emergency Management in Andalusia, emphasized the need for greater centralization of resources and requested a meeting with officials responsible for Civil Protection and forestry services to assess available resources. Marlaska acknowledged the request, while Sanz also called for specialized meteorological teams to assist in fire suppression efforts on the ground. Regional officials from different political backgrounds echoed similar sentiments. A Socialist official from Asturias stressed the necessity of a broad consensus on emergency policies, cautioning against politicizing the issue amid ongoing tensions between the ruling PP and the governing Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE). The latter has accused the PP of obstructing efforts to form a state-level agreement against wildfires, citing the absence of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in reaching out to PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo. In addition to requesting more aerial resources, regional authorities also demanded transparency regarding the government's inventory of emergency equipment. They argued that a comprehensive understanding of available assets would help prevent future large-scale fires. The meeting concluded with Marlaska reaffirming the “good synergy” between the central government and the autonomous regions, urging them to reinforce preventive measures, early intervention strategies, and public awareness campaigns. Since March 24, over 170,000 hectares have been burned, compared to 30,000 hectares in 2025, and the Es-Alert system has been activated 160 times, with 211 interventions by civil protection forces recorded. Meanwhile, the PP-led regions have also taken a firm stance on other pressing issues, including the delayed payment of salaries for 3,400 university teaching assistants contracted through the Maria Goyri program. These payments depend on a 149.6 million euro transfer approved by the central government, which the PP regions have refused to approve due to their focus on managing the current emergency situation. Eleven of the 17 autonomous communities governed by the PP did not attend two scheduled meetings related to higher education and school policy, citing the need to prioritize institutional coordination in response to the wildfires. The PP has also criticized the central government for its handling of the crisis, accusing it of ideological bias and poor resource management. The party has rejected calls for a “state-level agreement” against climate-related emergencies, arguing instead that the root causes of wildfires extend beyond climate change. PP spokesperson Ester Muñoz stated that the government had failed to modernize firefighting aircraft since 2022 and had not adequately utilized European funds for prevention and fire control. She warned that unless the government addressed these issues, the PP would not engage in discussions about forming such an agreement. The PP has previously proposed reforms to Spain’s Forest Law and Civil Protection Law to enhance fire prevention and response mechanisms. Earlier this year, PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo outlined 50 measures aimed at improving the country’s approach to wildfire management. Despite these proposals, the central government has yet to commit to implementing them, leaving the issue of wildfire preparedness and response still unresolved.