Spain wildfires have driven more than 70,000 people from their homes, with officials warning a new heatwave could make the fight harder.
Spain wildfires have pushed firefighters into a grinding weeklong battle as blazes tore through the countryside, threatened dozens of communities, and forced more than 70,000 people to leave their homes. The worst concerns have centered on three fires in the Madrid region, where officials are now bracing for a new heatwave that is expected to arrive Wednesday.
Madrid regional leader Isabel Díaz Ayuso called the situation serious while visiting affected areas on Monday with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Sánchez said Tuesday that the country faced difficult hours and days ahead, though he also said there was light beginning to appear at the end of the tunnel. Spain’s weather agency, Aemet, warned that fire danger would keep rising to extreme levels, with temperatures expected to climb toward 40C in some areas and stay high through at least Sunday.
Ayuso said four municipalities remained under lockdown orders and 12 others had been evacuated. She said more than 56,500 people had been moved from their homes in the Madrid region alone since the fires began last week, while another 27,797 were ordered to remain indoors. Further evacuations have also taken place in Ávila, Toledo and Valencia. By Tuesday, Ayuso said the situation was improving little by little and that some residents might soon be allowed to return home.
“Spain wildfires have driven more than 70,000 people from their homes, with officials warning a new heatwave could make the fight harder.”
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said firefighting work overnight had produced relatively positive progress. He told Spanish television that officials were satisfied with the work carried out and would now focus on consolidating those gains, while also acknowledging that weather conditions were not helping. The national government's delegation in Madrid said the fire remained active and uncontrolled, and that crews would spend the day on surveillance and cooling operations ahead of the expected worsening weather.
Pedro Sánchez also announced that the affected areas had been declared disaster zones. Speaking in Madrid, he said the climate emergency was getting worse each year and called for unity on fire prevention and recovery. He also urged regional governments not to fall into climate denial, which he described as the worst fuel for the fight against the climate emergency. Officials said around 77,000 hectares had been affected across Spain, with the blaze in Ávila described as the largest in the country’s recent history. With Portugal also battling a large fire in the Guarda area, the Spain wildfires are a stark warning that extreme heat is turning summer into a national emergency.
Frequently asked questions
How many people have been evacuated or ordered indoors because of the fires?
In the Madrid region alone, more than 56,500 people were moved from their homes and another 27,797 were ordered to remain indoors. Across Spain, more than 70,000 people were affected by evacuations.
Which areas are most affected by the wildfires?
The worst concerns are centered on three fires in the Madrid region. Evacuations also took place in Ávila, Toledo and Valencia.
What weather conditions are making the situation worse?
Spain’s weather agency said fire danger would rise to extreme levels, with temperatures expected to climb toward 40C in some areas and stay high through at least Sunday.
What has the Spanish government done in response?
The affected areas were declared disaster zones. Officials also said overnight firefighting had made some progress and crews were focusing on surveillance and cooling operations.
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