Heavy machinery identified as cause of Spain's record wildfire

Investigators have determined that heavy machinery operating in Burgohondo, Ávila, sparked the largest wildfire in Spain's history, burning over 50,000 hectares in the province. The blaze began when an excavator's hydraulic hammer struck rock during land clearing contracted by local livestock farmers.

Widespread blazes across Ávila, Madrid, Toledo, and Castellón have burned approximately 77,000 hectares in total, leaving up to 90,000 people under evacuation or confinement orders. While emergency crews report slight progress on central fronts, the fire in La Vall d'Uixó remains uncontrolled. Emergency responders described being overwhelmed as unified command teams coordinate efforts to prevent separate fires from merging.

Sources: El Mundo, La Vanguardia