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Date Published: 10/08/2026

Spain puts 33,600 officers on duty as millions prepare for solar eclipse

Up to 2.9 million people could travel to watch the August 12 eclipse, with hundreds of observation points planned across Spain

Spain is preparing for a huge influx of visitors on Wednesday August 12, with up to 2.9 million people expected to travel to watch the solar eclipse.

The Ministry of the Interior has announced a major security operation involving 33,600 National Police and Guardia Civil officers, with the biggest crowds expected in the northern half of the country.

Around 350 observation points are planned, while 123 areas will have restricted or completely prohibited access because of environmental risks or concerns about whether people could be evacuated quickly in an emergency.

The ministry said the operation will include "the mobilisation of 33,600 National Police and Guardia Civil officers to increase police presence in the observation areas".

Officers will also work to "guarantee road safety and orderly traffic flow around the main access routes and return routes, and to protect the main land transport corridors that will be affected by the increased traffic."

The authorities are particularly concerned about the combination of large crowds, high temperatures and extremely dry vegetation, which could increase the risk of forest fires.

Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska launched the State Coordination and Management Committee, known as CECOD, to oversee the operation.

"High temperatures, the accumulated dryness of vegetation, and the high pressure on natural areas due to planned travel necessitate extreme preventative measures," Grande-Marlaska said.

"Enjoying this astronomical event must be fully compatible with protecting the natural environment and strictly adhering to preventative measures."

Around 24,200 Guardia Civil officers will be involved, alongside 2,500 traffic officers. They'll be responsible for managing large crowds and traffic, as well as responding to potential telecommunications problems, forest fires and health risks linked to the heat.

Authorities have identified a number of planned observation points in areas with a very high risk of forest fires. These will be monitored by a coordinated operation involving the Military Emergency Unit, Civil Protection and Emergencies, the Directorate General of Traffic and other emergency and security services.

Preventive warnings can also be sent through the AlertCops app, social media and official websites if necessary.

Anyone travelling to watch the eclipse is being advised to plan ahead, expect busy roads and follow instructions from the Guardia Civil and other emergency services. Visitors should also respect any access restrictions, particularly in natural areas where emergency crews may need to reach an incident quickly.

Image: Luc Viatour via Wikimedia Commons

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