Digger driver is accused of starting largest wildfire in Spain's history and faces ten years in jail

A construction worker has been accused of starting the largest wildfire in Spanish history by using an illegal excavator. The unnamed man was arrested after the devastating fire broke out near Navaluenga, Avila, some 65 miles west of Madrid, on July 22, and faces up to 10 years in prison. Firefighters have claimed that the man used his digging machine's hydraulic hammer to crush rocks, which sent sparks flying into the dry terrain, Spanish newspaper El Mundo reports. The use of such machines is banned in Spain during the summer months due to hot temperatures. The construction worker has refuted claims that he had used the vehicle, telling Guardia Civil officers that he had only gone to the site to retrieve the machine. But the police force has alleged that the man carried out work without a permit and that the excavator was not fitted with proper fire-extinguishing equipment. The flames, which quickly became uncontrollable, have torn through 193 square miles, forcing 90,000 residents to evacuate their homes, in one of the most devastating wildfires in the country's history. The man is now facing a prison sentence of between 5 and 10 years if found guilty of causing the fire through negligence. A firefighter waters burning tires and barrels while battling a wildfire in Cebreros area, near Avila, 80 kms west of Madrid on July 24, 2026 A resident helps firefighters battle a wildfire in Cebreros area, near Avila, 80 kms west of Madrid on July 24, 2026 Image shows a burnt car in Pelayos de la Presa, Spain, on July 29 'This fire was caused by negligence. The Castilla y León government will act as a private prosecutor against the person who started this fire,' said Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, the regional president.As Europe grapples with another scorching summer, wildfires have forced large-scale evacuations of people in Spain and France. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska warned of 'three tough days' ahead, with strong winds and high temperatures, even as the major fire in the Avila and Madrid region stabilised, allowing authorities to lift some of the evacuation and shelter-in-place ​orders.Officials meanwhile warned of another fire in the northwestern Spanish province of Zamora. They issued an evacuation order for six towns and asked about 1,000 people to shelter in place.Spain's weather agency AEMET said temperatures were expected to reach 40 ​degrees Celsius on Wednesday in at least six regions, which have been placed on orange alert, the second-highest level. In France, temperatures in the southwest, hit by devastating fires, were expected to rise from around 33 C on Tuesday to peak at 41 C, according to Meteo France, while dry winds in the afternoon could stoke flames.French firefighters kept a major blaze west of Bordeaux stable overnight. And near Bordeaux's airport, which has remained open, tramway services resumed, and hotels reopened.People watch the wildfire of Navaluenga, Avila, Spain July 23, 2026 Members of the Emergency Military Unit (UME) utilize controlled burns to halt the spread of wildfires in the Madrid border region on July 28, 2026 in Cebreros, in Avila province, Spain An Air Tractor AT-802F Fire Boss aircraft dumps water over a wildfire burning near San Martin de Valdeiglesias, about 70km west of Madrid, on July 26, 2026 The charred carcass of a doe lies on the scorched ground of a forest after a wildfire ravaged the Iruelas Valley, near El Tiemblo, 80 kilometres west of Madrid, on July 29, 2026 View of the Ermita de Santa Barbara surrounded by smoke in Onda, Castellon province, 71 kilometres north of Valencia, Spain, on July 28, 2026But officials warned the wildfires were far ​from over. The southwestern municipality of Lege-Cap-Ferret flagged several flare-ups in the area, adding that firefighters had managed to stabilise them.In Le Temple, around 30 km away, firefighters with trucks and hoses, supported by aircraft, worked to extinguish ​a reigniting fire that set trees and vegetation ablaze.'We remain vigilant, of course, today, considering the forecast weather conditions, with a new rise in temperatures and higher wind speeds in the afternoon,' firefighter commander Matthieu Jomain told reporters earlier in the day. The impact on the forests has been widespread. The wildfire in the Landes area west of Bordeaux, a popular tourist destination, has devastated 42,000 hectares (104,000 acres) of mainly pine trees.Authorities have evacuated about 220,000 people, including holidaymakers and residents, as the fire threatened the Cap Ferret peninsula on the Atlantic coast, which is accessible by only one road. About 60,000 people have been allowed back.Greek holiday hotspots have also been hit by wildfires this week. Footage on social media showed bright orange flames rising above the mountains as dark clouds of smoke engulfed the island of Paros. Several wildfires are affecting the southern part of Brignoles and threatening the village of Camps-la-Source, while the neighborhoods of Pelicon and Tombarel are subject to an evacuation order issued by the Var Prefecture to the Brignoles Exhibition Hall in Camps-la-Source, France, on July 29, 2026 Burned area is seen near the city center and town hall in Bordeaux, France, following a massive wildfire, on July 29, 2026. Volunteers and rescue workers gather nearby to eat and rest as emergency response operations continue in the affected areasNine villages have been evacuated due to the growing inferno. Local media have reported that residents fled to the beaches on the instructions of emergency services, while two firefighters died in Crete after becoming trapped in their vehicles. Meanwhile in the UK, hundreds of holidaymakers have been evacuated as firefighters battle large wildfires in Suffolk and London. The blaze on Dunwich Heath, Suffolk, which began at around 5.30 pm yesterday, is spreading rapidly in the direction of Sizewell B nuclear power station, about 2.5 miles away.Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said it was working hard to protect seaside holiday homes – with around 200 caravans evacuated overnight.Meanwhile, in London, around 120 firefighters tackled two large grass fires in east London yesterday.Around 30 acres of grassland were destroyed in a large blaze in Romford, while ten acres were also damaged in Rainham.Britain is on high alert for 'exceptionally severe' wildfires, with parts of the country left bone-dry after weeks of hot weather.Around half of England has been placed in drought. Some areas have not seen rain in 43 days and temperatures soared again to 34C yesterday.A 50-year drought record from the long, hot summer of 1976 is now on the brink of being beaten.Amid the rising temperatures, supermarkets have resorted to rolling out Mediterranean-style fridges – with Waitrose buying up new equipment that can withstand outdoor temperatures of up to 48C. The UK is also experiencing wildfires. Pictured: Fire crews are seen battling a fire in Romford, east London, yesterday where around 30 acres of grassland were destroyed Fire crews tackle a blaze in London yesterday after temperatures reached 34CIn Suffolk, people have been urged to avoid the area and to keep their windows and doors closed due to the smoke.Suffolk Fire and Rescue has declared the blaze a major incident 'due to the size and complexity'.It began in heathland near the Coastguard Cottages, which are National Trust properties on the Suffolk coastline.Justin North said he and his wife woke up to 'hammering' on the door of his holiday cottage at Dunwich Cliffs at about 11.30pm last night.He told the BBC he was asked to 'go immediately' and is currently staying at Westleton Village Hall, alongside 48 other people who have also been evacuated.Mr North said there was a 'kind of blitz spirit' and that people were just 'happy to be safe and out'.Although the fire is heading in the direction of Sizewell B – Britain's largest nuclear power station – it is not believed to be a threat to the site.Dan Davis from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said: 'Crews from Leiston attended the scene and were met with what is a large-scale, wind- driven forestry fire.''The incident has subsequently been upgraded to a major incident.'We currently have approximately 90 firefighters on scene working incredibly hard in arduous conditions to bring this fire under control.'