Spain Declares 211 Emergency Zones: Wildfires and Storms Hit 14 Regions

Spain’s government has officially declared 211 areas as "seriously affected" by civil protection emergencies. The decree, approved by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, covers disasters that occurred between March 31 and July 27, 2026. Most of the emergencies are wildfires. However, the list also includes severe storms and heavy rain. The events took place across 14 of Spain’s 17 autonomous communities: Andalusia, Aragon, the Balearic Islands, Asturias, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, Catalonia, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Navarre, the Basque Country, Murcia, and Valencia. Notable incidents include the wildfires in Madrid, Ávila, and Toledo. These fires triggered a national emergency. The decree also covers the fire in La Vall d'Uixó (Castellón), which is still active. A fire in Los Gallardos (Almería) killed 13 people. Other events include wildfires in Galicia and Asturias from April, and storms in May that hit Mallorca, Murcia, and Catalonia. The list also covers wall collapses in La Rioja and industrial accidents. **What aid is available?** The "seriously affected" declaration allows different ministries to offer help. The Interior Ministry has announced aid for personal injuries, damage to homes and belongings, and costs for local governments. It also covers losses for businesses and industrial sites. Potential benefits include: - Tax breaks, such as exemption from property tax (IBI). - Reduced rates for the Economic Activities Tax. - Exemption from traffic authority fees for replacing lost driving licenses or vehicle documents. - Possible labor measures and social security discounts from the Ministry of Labor. - Up to 50% funding from the Ministry of Territorial Policy for local infrastructure repairs. The government says more specific aid packages may be announced in the coming weeks.