Jul 24, 2026 01:53 am EST
Spain has been grappling with devastating wildfires, with over 120,000 hectares burned this year alone—more than three times the amount from the same period in 2025. The situation in the Community of Madrid and Ávila is particularly dire.
National Emergency Declared
The Spanish Government declared a national emergency in Madrid and Ávila in response to the escalating forest fire crisis. This declaration follows a request from the Ayuso Executive, triggering the Operational Situation 3 under the Civil Protection Plan against Forest Fires (Infoma).
Evacuations Across Regions
Evacuations have become necessary due to multiple active fires. In the Community of Madrid, over 10,000 residents have been forced to leave their homes, primarily due to fires in notable areas including Almorox, Villa del Prado, and San Martín de Valdeiglesias.
In Castile and León, seven fires are currently reported, with significant incidents in Burgohondo (Ávila) and Murias de Ponjos (León), which has been classified under IGR-2 alert level.
Recent Developments and Recovery Efforts
In a more positive development, the fire in La Mierla (Guadalajara) is showing signs of improvement, allowing residents from nine of the 34 evacuated towns to return home.
Update on the Selas Fire
The fire in Selas (Guadalajara), which had caused considerable concern, is now reported as controlled. Firefighters have established a perimeter, although some ignition points may still smolder.
Currently, five ground teams and 28 personnel are actively working on-site to contain the situation.
Status of Madrid Fires
As of this morning, none of the forest fires in the Community of Madrid have been officially perimetered or controlled. Reports indicate that the evacuation numbers remain unchanged, affecting more than 10,000 residents.
Murias de Ponjos Evacuations
In Murias de Ponjos (León), three towns—Rosales, Folloso, and Andarraso—are under evacuation orders due to the rising threat of fire, impacting around 40 residents. The fire’s severity escalated to IGR-2 last night.
Community Response and Ongoing Coverage
The Government’s decision to declare a national emergency aims to streamline resources and enhance coordination among emergency services. In the meantime, more than 11,500 individuals have been evacuated in total across Madrid and Ávila, reflecting the broader crisis facing various regions in Spain.
Stay updated as the situation evolves; amidst these challenges, the community remains resilient and proactive in addressing the fires.