Massive blazes spread through Madrid region
Spain has declared a national wildfire emergency after fast-moving fires near Madrid and neighbouring Ávila province forced more than 10,000 residents to leave their homes.
Dramatic footage from San Martín de Valdeiglesias and Chapinería showed firefighters battling huge flames, emergency teams responding to the disaster and displaced residents seeking shelter.
Residents described walls of fire and thick smoke surrounding communities, forcing many people, including elderly residents, to evacuate quickly.
Several towns affected by evacuation orders
The emergency has affected Villa del Prado, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Pelayos de la Presa and Aldea del Fresno.
Chapinería alone provided temporary shelter for more than 150 evacuees, according to Mayor Lucía Moya.
Authorities said several towns had reported damaged or destroyed homes as firefighters continued efforts to control the flames.
Military and emergency teams deployed
The emergency declaration placed wildfire operations under the direct control of Spain’s Interior Ministry, allowing more resources to be sent to affected areas.
More than 270 emergency workers and 40 ground units have been deployed, supported by Spain’s Military Emergency Unit and aircraft carrying out water drops.
However, strong winds and extreme temperatures have made firefighting efforts more difficult.
Spain faces severe wildfire season
The fires come during one of Spain’s worst wildfire seasons in recent years.
Data from the European Forest Fire Information System shows that more than 104,000 hectares of land have already burned across Spain in 2026.
Earlier this month, at least 13 people died in wildfire incidents, including a deadly blaze in Almería.
With new fires reported in regions including Guadalajara, Aragón and Andalusia, authorities are warning that the extreme summer heat continues to create dangerous conditions across the country.
