Foreign residents unite after devastating wildfire in southern Spain

Foreigners in the town of Bédar, one of the Almería municipalities destroyed by a recent wildfire that killed 13 people, have already begun rallying together to help rebuild their homes and lives together.

The recent wildfire in Almería’s Sierra Cabrera region recently, one of the deadliest in recent memory in Spain, caused incredible devastation to dozens of families.

Animals were killed, homes were obliterated, public buildings were burnt down, farms were destroyed and the landscape was charred beyond recognition.

In the town of Bédar, which was one of the worst affected, neighbours, associations and volunteers have already stepped up to help.

Bédar is home to a large foreign community, with more than 40 percent of the population born abroad, many of whom have banded together to start the cleanup, while waiting for public aid.

Offers of help are being sent out through WhatsApp groups, social media, and in municipal publications. Already responses have begun pouring in from residents offering those in need free accommodation.

Volunteers are needed to carry out everything from plumbing and electrical work to painting, carpentry and gardening.

According to a report in Spanish newspaper ABC, some residents are in need water or electricity restored while others are in need of temporary accommodation as they can’t return to their homes.

The organisation MACS Mojácar Area Cancer Support has stepped up to collect clothing and other essential items for those who have lost everything, while Bédar Town Council is also accepting donations of food, drink and pet food.

Furia Almería, Asociación Animalista Eleos, and Equinac have been working together to rescue domestic and wild animals who were affected by the fire. In particular horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and turtles have needed help so far.

Burnt out homes in the town of Bédar. Photo: JORGE GUERRERO / AFP

The Bédar Town Hall has set up a dedicated office to help those affected with all the necessary paperwork in applying for aid, filling out insurance claims etc. They have also said they may be able to apply for official paperwork to document the damage.

This will be needed for both insurance companies and public authorities.

Because of this, the Bédar Town Council recommends preserving the condition of the properties as much as possible to show the damage or taking photographs and videos before starting any cleaning or repairs.

Foreign resident Fiona told ABC "Most neighbours have water, although with problems of low pressure and leaks. In the worst-affected areas, there is no supply because all the pipes are exposed and melted,” she explained.

The fire was one of Spain's deadliest in recent years, caused by an electrical cable falling on a road, and devastated some 7,000 hectares of land.

Seven of the victims were from the United Kingdom, three from Belgium, and one each from France, the United States and Spain.

In recent years Spain has experienced increasingly long and frequent heatwaves, with temperatures exceeding 40C, creating perfect conditions for wildfires.

In 2025, more than 393,000 hectares were destroyed by fire, according to the European Forest Fire Information System, this was the most in Spain's recent history.

The largest wildfire this year, which is in the Guadalajara province, has already burned some 26,000 hectares and has forced the evacuation of some 800 people.