Image of the day

Wildfire sweeps across Sierra de Alcubierre, Spain

Earth Observation | Copernicus
Fires
Wildfire Aragon
Location: Spain
Credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery

On 30 June 2026, a wildfire began burning in the Sierra de Alcubierre, located in the Aragón region of north-eastern Spain. The day after, the fire spread across forested hillsides and protected areas of natural and historical value, including parts of the Ruta Orwell, a trail preserving Spanish Civil War trenches linked to the British writer George Orwell.

This false-colour image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 1 July 2026, shows the extent of the affected area. Active fire fronts appear as bright orange hotspots, while the burn scar is visible in dark reddish-brown tones, contrasting with the surrounding green vegetation. 

Copernicus provides high-resolution observations which support authorities and analysts in monitoring wildfire activity, mapping affected areas, and carrying out post-event assessments.

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