Spain declares emergency as wildfires force 10,000 evacuations near Madrid
A series of forest fires erupted across the Madrid region and the province of Ávila on July 23‑24, 2026, prompting the Spanish government to declare a national emergency of interest. The fires, affecting the municipalities of Villa del Prado, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Aldea del Fresno, Pelayos de la Presa and Burgohondo, have forced the evacuation of more than 10,000 residents. The Interior Ministry placed the Military Emergency Unit (UME) under operational command and mobilised hundreds of firefighters, military personnel and aerial assets. Strong winds, high temperatures and dry vegetation are hampering containment efforts. Authorities have closed several roads (M‑507, N‑403) and urged residents to keep windows and doors shut and to drive with extreme caution. Spain also requested EU assistance, receiving Canadair and Air‑tractor aircraft from Croatia and Portugal and Black‑hawk helicopters from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The situation remains “critical”, with the risk that the blazes could spread to additional municipalities if adverse weather persists.