A wildfire in Spain’s southeastern province of Almeria has killed 13 people, making it the country’s deadliest in recent years, according to Spanish authorities. The blaze occurred earlier this month as the Iberian Peninsula endures a summer of extreme heat, with the national weather agency AEMET now warning that a third heatwave will push temperatures above 40°C across large areas, and possibly beyond 45°C in isolated spots, from Tuesday.

AEMET said the heatwave is being fuelled by a persistent high-pressure system that is trapping hot, dry air from North Africa over Spain. The agency has warned of significant danger during the central hours of the day, especially for outdoor activities and vulnerable people. Mainland Spain recorded its hottest first half of summer since records began in 1961, with average temperatures from 1 June to 15 July reaching 24.5°C — 3.3°C above the 1991–2020 reference period. In Morocco, the General Directorate of Meteorology issued an orange alert for a heatwave affecting several provinces, with highs of 44–46°C expected in areas including Oued Ed-Dahab and Zagora. Algeria’s National Meteorological Office placed nine northern wilayas under a red alert, forecasting temperatures that could locally reach or exceed 48°C, and an orange alert for southern regions where 49°C is possible.

Separately, a fast-moving wildfire in the northern Aragon region has burned more than 15,400 hectares across an 80-kilometre perimeter, the regional government said. Drone footage captured the scale of the blaze, which prompted a level two emergency declaration, indicating a threat to populated areas and critical infrastructure. No casualties have been reported from that fire.

Scientists attribute the increasing length, intensity, and frequency of heatwaves to human-driven climate change, which also dries out vegetation and raises wildfire risk. The Almeria fire remains the deadliest in recent years, though no further details on the victims or the fire’s containment have been released. The heatwave is expected to peak on Thursday in Spain, while Moroccan and Algerian authorities have extended warnings into the weekend. No additional fatalities have been confirmed.