People flocking to Spain to view solar eclipse could spark more ‘devastating’ wildfires

The Guardian UK Monday 10 August 2026, 13:21 UTC By Stephen Burgen in Tarragona 1 min read

Key Points

Northern Spain will be one of the best places in world to view phenomenon with 460,000 extra visitors expectedAuthorities in Spain have warned of an increased risk of fires when hundreds of thousands of people head to the hills and beaches to get a better view of Wednesday’s total solar eclipse. “The vegetation is extraordinarily dry and the smallest spark or carelessness could lead to devastating forest fires,” the environment minister, Sara Aagesen, said on a visit to Niebla in the south...

Northern Spain will be one of the best places in world to view phenomenon with 460,000 extra visitors expected

Authorities in Spain have warned of an increased risk of fires when hundreds of thousands of people head to the hills and beaches to get a better view of Wednesday’s total solar eclipse.

“The vegetation is extraordinarily dry and the smallest spark or carelessness could lead to devastating forest fires,” the environment minister, Sara Aagesen, said on a visit to Niebla in the south of the country, the site of Spain’s latest fire.

Spain (LOCATION) Northern Spain (LOCATION) Sara Aagesen (PERSON) Niebla (LOCATION)

Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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