Each summer, wildfires in Spain leave a devastating toll: charred landscapes, evacuated villages, blocked roads, and in the most severe cases, human lives lost.
Yet another tragedy rarely makes the headlines: the countless animals caught in the flames, as seen during both the wildfires and the DANA floods in Valencia.
Dog rescued from wildfire with burns
A video captured the rescue of a dog amid the many fires in Spain this August. BomberosBe filmed the operation, showing burns on her paws, wounds on her body, and severely damaged eyes.
“In the midst of flames, there are innocent lives that suffer. Let us never forget that they, too, are victims of fire,” BomberosBe wrote on Instagram. “This little one was rescued from a wildfire. We cleaned her eyes, gave her food and water, and contacted the appropriate services so she could receive care.”
The dog, named Luna, was found among ashes and scrubland. Exhausted, with singed fur and a defeated expression, she fought to survive while receiving comfort from her rescuers.
“My Luna… she’s alive. We’re treating her and she seems a little better,” wrote her owner, Araceli, in the comments on the firefighters’ video. “She’s still very weak, but she’s eating and drinking on her own and has started to stand up, just a little, but she’s getting there.”
Burnt sheep that managed to survive
Luna’s story was not the only one to touch hearts. A video of a sheep burned in a fire also circulated online, showing it being rescued thanks to the efforts of neighbours. Sadly, most of its flock perished in the flames. Witnesses reported that “they were burning and nobody broke the fence or did anything,” illustrating how defenceless animals are during emergencies.
Each summer, livestock, pets, and wildlife, from horses and cattle to roe deer, wild boar, and foxes, either die or suffer injuries while trying to escape the fire. Many survivors need urgent veterinary care, water, and food, yet no standardised emergency plans exist for them.
Stories of pain...and hope
Despite the annual tragedy, some acts offer hope. In Ourense, the dog grooming salon Sua offered free services for dogs affected by fires, including baths to remove soot and ash, basic skin checks for minor burns, deep brushing, and even haircuts if necessary.
Across Spain, neighbours and volunteers came together to deliver food, water, and medication to injured or displaced animals, showing that compassion endures even amidst the ashes.
The video of Luna’s rescue put a face to a largely ignored reality: thousands of animals suffer or die each summer without proper protection. Her weary gaze reminded the public that they, too, fight to survive, and highlighted the urgent need to enforce laws to prevent them from remaining invisible victims of fire.
