In brief
For the past week, the Madrid region and surrounding provinces have seen multiple fierce wildfires, prompting evacuations of more than 70,000 residents. Heatwave conditions are expected to rise to 40 °C, putting extra strain on firefighting crews. Regional leaders, including President Isabel Díaz Ayuso, have acknowledged the situation as an unprecedented natural disaster, while Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for unity against the climate emergency. Authorities are tightening lockdowns, but some residents may soon return as fire activity stabilises.
For the past week, firefighters have been battling a series of wildfires across the Spanish countryside, threatening dozens of communities and forcing more than 70,000 people to evacuate their homes.
Three major fires in the Madrid region have raised special concerns, with a new heatwave expected to hit Spain from Wednesday, fuelling fears that firefighting efforts could be hindered.
"It's a hell of a situation," said Madrid regional leader Isabel Díaz Ayuso, as she visited affected areas on Monday alongside Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Sánchez warned of the highly challenging hours ahead but noted that light was beginning to appear at the end of the tunnel.
Temperatures are expected to approach 40 °C in some regions over the coming days, with the heatwave forecast to last at least until Sunday. Aemet has warned that the fire danger level will continue to rise to extreme levels, hindering firefighting efforts.
Ayuso confirmed that four municipalities remain under lockdown orders while another 12 are evacuated, describing the fires as "the biggest natural catastrophe in the history of Spain" and likening the area to a "war zone".
In the Madrid region alone, more than 56,500 people have been evacuated since the fires broke out last week, with an additional 27,797 ordered to stay at home. Further evacuations have taken place in Ávila, Toledo and Valencia.
Ayuso wrote on X that the situation is "improving little by little" and that some residents may soon be allowed to return home.
Interior Minister Fernando Grande‑Marlaska told TV that firefighting efforts on Monday night had resulted in "relatively positive progress" and that work would be consolidated. He reiterated that the emergency is under control but admitted that current weather conditions are not helping.
The Madrid region is now under a red weather warning, with temperatures expected to reach 35 °C in mountainous areas and 38 °C elsewhere. National government officials said the fire remains active and uncontrolled, focusing on surveillance and cooling in anticipation of worsening conditions.
Around 77,000 hectares (190,000 acres) have been affected by the fires in Spain, and the wildfire burning in the Ávila area is the largest in the country’s recent history, according to minister Sara Aagesen.
In neighboring Portugal, firefighters are tackling a large fire on three active fronts in the eastern Guarda area.
