A new fire in Los Gallardos (Almería) with 11 fatalities adds to the tragic list of major wildfires in Spain, led by Lloret de Mar (1979) with 21 dead and La Gomera (1984) with 20.
The wildfire declared this Friday in Los Gallardos (Almería), with 11 fatalities, has once again highlighted the major disasters that have marked Spain's recent history. The deadliest on the list is Lloret de Mar (Girona), where on August 7, 1979, 21 people were killed by the flames. Following closely is La Gomera, with 20 fatalities on September 11, 1984, the worst fire recorded in the Canary Islands.
The tragic toll of these disasters is not only measured in hectares burned but in human lives. According to collected data, a significant portion of the deceased were forest firefighters, brigadiers, and environmental agents involved in firefighting efforts. Extreme conditions, with sudden changes in fire behaviour and very high temperatures, make each campaign one of the greatest challenges for emergency services.
La Gomera, the Canary tragedy that marked a turning point
The La Gomera fire, which occurred on September 11, 1984, remains the most severe in the history of the Canary Islands. The flames ravaged thousands of hectares and claimed the lives of 20 people, mostly locals and brigadiers trying to contain the fire. The magnitude of the tragedy prompted a thorough review of emergency protocols in the archipelago.
For the Canarians, this event is a constant reminder of the islands' vulnerability to wildfires, especially in hard-to-access areas with dense vegetation. Since then, local authorities have strengthened firefighting resources and prevention campaigns, but the risk remains latent every summer.
Riba de Saelices and other fires with multiple victims
Another of the most remembered fires is that of Riba de Saelices (Guadalajara) in 2005, where 11 members of a forest crew died while combating the fire. That tragedy marked a turning point in safety protocols and the organisation of firefighting resources across Spain.
The list of major fires with fatalities includes other particularly tragic episodes: Millares (Valencia, 1994) with 6 dead; Cascante del Río (Teruel, 2011) with 6; Grazalema (Cádiz, 1992) with 5; La Hiruela (Madrid, 1992) with 5; Alicante (1994) with 5; Horta de Sant Joan (Tarragona, 2009) with 5; El Catllar (Tarragona, 1993) with 5; and Sant Llorenç de Savall (Barcelona, 2003) with 5. In all these cases, most victims were firefighting professionals or individuals who could not escape in time.
The analysis of these disasters highlights that firefighting is the moment of greatest risk. Sudden changes in wind direction, extreme temperatures, and complicated topography are factors that turn any fire into a deadly trap. Experts insist that prevention and training are the best tools to avoid new tragedies.
For the Canary reader, this data holds special relevance. La Gomera remains a reference of what should not be repeated, and the islands, with their climate and vegetation, are particularly prone to suffer large-scale fires. Authorities remind the importance of adhering to prevention rules, not making fires in unauthorised areas, and promptly notifying 112 in the event of any column of smoke.
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