Spanish authorities have declared a national emergency to combat major wildfires burning in central Spain, placing firefighting operations under the direct control of the Interior Ministry. The declaration, enacted on July 24, marks only the second time such a measure has been used in recent history, following a massive blackout in April 2025.
The emergency response focuses on blazes in the provinces of Madrid and Avila, where flames have consumed vast areas of land. One major fire, known as the La Mierla wildfire, broke out in Guadalajara province, approximately 100 kilometers north of Madrid. Another significant blaze started in Avila province on July 22.
The scale of displacement has grown rapidly. While initial reports indicated around 1,200 people were forced to flee, later figures show that more than 87,000 people have been evacuated or confined in the affected regions. In Madrid alone, nearly 30,000 residents were evacuated, with over 20,000 more confined to their homes. In Avila, approximately 30,000 people were evacuated.
Estimates of the burned area vary among sources. Some reports indicate that fires in Madrid and Avila have scorched around 45,000 hectares. Other data from the European Union’s Copernicus satellite monitoring system suggests that more than 123,000 hectares have burned across Spain so far in 2026, a figure that some sources say has since risen to over 152,000 hectares.
Firefighting efforts and challenges
More than 1,800 firefighters and emergency personnel, including Spain's Military Emergencies Unit (UME), are battling the flames. They are supported by international assistance from Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Turkey, as well as water-bombing aircraft. Officials have described the combined fire as one of the most complex and aggressive in Spain's history.
The fires have been fueled by extreme weather conditions. Spain is experiencing its third heatwave of the summer, with temperatures forecast to rise above 40°C in some regions. The Spanish weather agency AEMET warned that the danger of wildfires was 'very high or extreme' across most of mainland Spain due to dry thunderstorms and Saharan dust.
Experts describe some of the blazes as 'sixth generation' fires, which are of extreme intensity and can create their own weather conditions. These fires can develop strong convection columns, suddenly change direction, and create new hotspots kilometers away, complicating suppression efforts.
Political response and investigations
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the affected areas and called for a 'grand national pact against the climate emergency.' He stated that climate denial is the 'worst fuel' for fighting the crisis. The government plans to approve a royal decree-law declaring the affected areas as disaster zones.
Investigations into the causes of the fires are underway. Police believe the Avila wildfire was caused by a spark from heavy machinery operating in an area where such work was prohibited. In Guadalajara, the fire was allegedly caused by agricultural activity. One man has been arrested by the Civil Guard over the alleged use of heavy machinery in a high fire-risk zone.
The crisis has sparked political debate. Madrid’s regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, requested the national emergency declaration. However, opposition figures have criticized regional governments for underfunding firefighting services. Manuela Bergerot, a spokesperson for the Más Madrid party, pointed to vacant firefighter positions and expired equipment as contributing factors.
Despite political tensions, King Felipe VI praised the 'exemplary coordination' between administrations. He and Queen Letizia visited shelters to speak with evacuees, acknowledging the anguish and uncertainty faced by those who lost their homes.
Wider impact in Europe
Spain is not alone in facing severe wildfires. France is also battling raging fires, particularly in the southeastern Var region and the Gironde area. In the Var region, a wildfire burned 2,500 hectares, forcing 400 people to flee. In Gironde, the burned area reached 42,000 hectares, and 126 firefighters were injured.
Other European countries are also on high alert. Italy’s civil protection agency declared all of Sicily at the highest risk for wildfires, while Greece and Cyprus banned outdoor work during peak hours due to extreme temperatures. The EU’s crisis-management team warned that difficult weeks lie ahead, with fears of further outbreaks in Italy and Greece.
Scientists attribute the increased intensity of heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires to human-driven climate change. Rapid analyses found that June's heatwave would have been 'virtually impossible' in a world without climate breakdown. The recent level of soil dryness in western Europe was made five times more likely by climate change.