Spain deploys emergency aid as forest fires affect 91,000 people

Forest fires raging across Spain have burned tens of thousands of hectares, with the most severe fronts in Madrid, Ávila and Castellón. Authorities report around 91,000 people affected, including 63,000 evacuated and 28,000 confined.

The Interior Minister, Fernando Grande‑Marlaska, said night‑time operations have improved the situation but warned that a new heat wave could reignite the blazes. More than 400 firefighters worked through the night around the north of the San Juan reservoir in Madrid, while regional leaders such as Isabel Díaz Ayuso highlighted the “impressive work” of emergency services and the prospect of safely returning residents to evacuated municipalities.

In response, the Consejo General del Notariado activated an emergency notarial plan, offering free advice, rapid issuance of notarised deeds of notoriety and electronic protocols to document damage for insurance claims. The insurance federation UNESPA also published a guide outlining the coverage homeowners can expect from fire‑damage policies.