Why Fleeing a Wildfire Can Be Deadly | DW News

Jul 12, 2026 | In Spain, a fast-moving wildfire killed at least 12 people — several of them apparently while trying to escape.

Authorities say some victims left their cars or ignored shelter instructions as flames raced through southern Andalusia.

So, when a wildfire closes in, what is safer: run, drive, or stay put?

DW speaks to Dr. Anabela Bonada, Managing Director, Climate Science at Intact Centre

Wildfires in Andalucía

MARK ALEXANDER: Naturally, I am very distressed by ALL the wildfires in Europe at this time. But in the last couple of days, I have been particularly concerned about, and distressed by, the wildfires in southern Spain, in Andalucía, in and around Granada and Almería. I get several very loyal visitors from this area of Spain, and I have done for a very long time, so I am particularly concerned about their welfare at this extremely dangerous time.

I don’t know these people—I wish I did—, but to care about them and their welfare, I don’t have to.

I keep looking on the map to see if they have visited me, and when I see that they have at this extremely dangerous time for them, I am greatly relieved. Then, I know that at least they are still alive!

Mark Alexander

Tourists among Several Killed in 'Terrifying' Wildfire in Southern Spain | ABC NEWS

July 11, 2026 | At least 12 people have been killed in Spain's south-east with several more missing after a fast-spreading wildfire near Los Gallardos.

Authorities believe most of the victims were tourists and that many died after ignoring shelter-in-place instructions.

Hundreds of firefighters worked to bring the flames fanned by strong winds under control.

Spain Battles to Contain One of Its Deadliest Wildfires as At Least 12 Killed | BBC News

July 11, 2026 | Hundreds of firefighters in Spain are still battling to contain pockets of flames in the south east after one of the country's worst-ever wildfires.

Emergency services have been deployed around the village of Bédar where 12 people have been killed - among them four Britons, according to Spanish authorities. Another 23 people are still missing.

Local officials in the Los Gallardos area of Almería have warned the number of dead could rise, with fears that more Britons are among those killed.

A sustained heatwave with temperatures of around 40C (104F) has caused wildfires across Southern Europe this summer, particularly in France, Portugal and Spain.

‘I Had an Incredible Escape’: British Woman Tells of Close Encounter with Spanish Wildfire

THE GUARDIAN: Jeanne Henny, 74, put her friend, a wheelchair and two dogs into the car and drove away, only to meet fire surging on to the road

Screenshot taken from this Guardian article. | Jeanne Henny: ‘You thought the fire was miles away and then suddenly it was in front of you on the road.’ Photograph: Handout
The speed, scale and ferocity of the wildfire in and around the Bédar municipality of Almería took everyone by surprise.

Jeanne Henny, an English woman who has had a house in the tiny hamlet of Los Pinos for 33 years, initially took Thursday afternoon’s yellow skies as proof that a calima wind from the Sahara was showering desert dust on the area. Then she noticed the smoke and saw from a fire-alert app that a blaze had broken out.

“There was a lot of smoke, but it was far away,” said Henny, 74. “We get fires and there’s some kind of scare most years. The police will come to each house and tell us to get out and there will be sirens going. But this time it didn’t happen like that.”

The gravity of the situation became apparent when a neighbour knocked on her door at 5.30pm and told her it was time that she and her friend, who uses a wheelchair, abandoned their house.

It took Henny almost half an hour to get her friend and two dogs into the car. She had to leave her five cats behind. » | Sam Jones in Madrid | Friday, July 10, 2026

Hundreds of Residents Evacuated after Deadly Wildfires in Spain | BBC News

July 10, 2026 | At least 12 people have died in a wildfire in southern Spain, with early indications suggesting four of the victims are British, according to a local official.

Hundreds of emergency responders are working to contain the blaze around Los Gallardos, Almería, which appears to have been caused by a downed power line.

The bodies of the victims were found near the small village of Bédar, just outside Los Gallardos, while 23 others are still missing and hundreds of residents have been evacuated.

Regional president Juanma Moreno calls the impact of the fire "devastating" and warns the death toll could rise significantly.