Sometimes even kings have to go back to work in the event of an emergency. On August 17, King Felipe, who was reportedly on a Greek holiday with his family, suddenly flew home to Spain.
The king went straight to the Headquarters of the Military Emergency Unit (UME) at the Torrejón Air Base. At the base northeast of Madrid, he received a briefing on the huge wildfires burning through his country’s northwest region.
King Felipe of Spain returned home in the midst of extreme wildfires
Up to 20 major fires are burning in Spain’s Galicia region, Sky News reported, as well as in neighboring Portugal. Some of the fires have joined together into a massive blaze, forcing the closure of roads and rail services. Burning up to 390,000 acres – an area roughly equal to metropolitan London – the fire has cost three people their lives. Additionally, four firefighters have also lost their lives.
Additionally, 500 more soldiers were deployed after the king’s arrival, bringing the total number of firefighters to 1,900. In a video posted to Felipe’s Instagram, he thanked everyone “fighting the devastating wildfires ravaging much of our country.” The firefighters include active military soldiers, civilians and volunteers. As international firefighters head to Spain to help extinguish the flames, airtankers from the Netherlands, France and Italy are already on the job.
Furthermore, the king recognized the “work you are doing to protect [civilians] and try to extinguish [the fires] as quickly as possible.”
Due to the flames spreading south, authorities closed the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. Authorities urged hikers to avoid the area and “not to put (their) lives in danger.”
Defense Minister Margarita Robles described the fire as a “situation we haven’t experienced in 20 years.”
Southern Europe is experiencing one of its worst fire seasons in years, with Spain the hardest hit. Meanwhile, dozens of people have been arrested for suspected arson since June. With smoke from the Spanish and Portugal fires causing hazy conditions as far as the UK, scientists blame the extreme weather conditions on global warming.
Though cooler weather is in the forecast, temps are predicted to reach up to 113° Fahrenheit in some areas of Spain during the next week.
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