The Policia Nacional have issued an urgent public warning after a new official wildfire risk map showed almost the entire country under high or extreme danger of forest fires.

In a post on social media, officers shared a map showing Spain almost entirely coloured red and urged the public to take the threat seriously following a week of devastating blazes.

‘Do you see the map of Spain coloured red?’ the force wrote.

‘Then you already know… it’s time to take taking precautions to prevent forest fires very seriously.’

Police warned that ‘a single moment of carelessness can have catastrophic consequences’, as emergency services continue battling multiple major wildfires across the country.

The force reminded the public:

• Do not throw away cigarette butts.
• Do not light fires.
• If you see any column of smoke, call 112 immediately.

The warning comes after one of Spain’s worst weeks of the wildfire season.

In Almeria, 13 people lost their lives after a fast-moving blaze swept through Los Gallardos and Bedar, while residents have also been evacuated from wildfires in Murcia.

Meanwhile, the government declared a national emergency around Madrid after three major wildfires forced the evacuation of around 10,000 people, with military emergency units deployed to help tackle the flames.

The latest official risk map shows much of mainland Spain under very high or extreme wildfire danger, with only isolated coastal and mountainous areas displaying lower risk levels.

Authorities are urging residents and tourists alike to remain vigilant as hot, dry conditions continue to leave forests and countryside highly susceptible to ignition.