A wildfire in Spain's Almeria province killed at least 13 people, including five believed to be Britons, after sweeping through the region last Thursday.

The blaze forced thousands from their homes and has left a trail of destruction across the mountainous landscape, with emergency services still assessing the full extent of the damage this week.

Devastation in Benizalón

Driven by strong winds and soaring temperatures, the fire ignited in a remote forested area before rapidly spreading towards residential communities, officials said.

Villages like Benizalón, nestled in the Sierra de los Filabres mountains, bore the brunt of the inferno, with many properties reduced to ash. Power and communication lines were severely impacted, hindering early recovery efforts.

Among those returning to survey the wreckage were John and Sarah Miller, a British couple who own a property in Benizalón, one of the hardest-hit areas. They described scenes of desolation, with charred buildings and scorched earth replacing familiar olive groves.

“It’s heartbreaking to see this,” Sarah Miller told reporters, her voice trembling as she looked at what remained of a neighbour’s farm. “We’ve spent summers here for years, and it’s just gone.”

charred buildings Spanish wildfire Almeria

John Miller added that while their own house sustained some damage, many others were completely destroyed. “The speed of it was terrifying. One minute, you see smoke, the next, the flames are at your doorstep,” he recounted.

Official Response and Recovery Efforts

Spanish authorities deployed hundreds of firefighters and military personnel to combat the inferno, backed by aerial water bombers. The coordinated effort focused on containing the perimeter and protecting remaining structures as the blaze continued to smoulder in hard-to-reach ravines.

The regional government of Andalusia has since declared the affected areas a disaster zone, pledging emergency aid and long-term reconstruction funds for residents and businesses. Initial estimates suggest agricultural losses alone could run into millions of euros.

Emergency shelters, set up in nearby towns, provided refuge for those displaced, many of whom are now grappling with the uncertainty of returning to what is left of their homes. Local charities and volunteers have mobilised to offer support, distributing food and essential supplies.

Recurring Threat and Investigations

Wildfires are a recurring threat in southern Spain during the dry summer months, often exacerbated by climate change and prolonged droughts. This incident marks one of the deadliest in the region in recent years, prompting renewed calls for improved prevention strategies and forest management.

Experts point to a combination of factors, including unusually high temperatures for early July and low humidity, which created tinderbox conditions across large swathes of the countryside. Environmental groups have urged authorities to re-evaluate land use policies in vulnerable areas.

Investigators are currently working to determine the exact cause of the blaze, with arson not ruled out. Forensic teams are also continuing efforts to formally identify all the victims, a process expected to take several more days according to local police. The British Embassy in Madrid confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the families of the British nationals affected.