The Spanish government has declared a state of emergency in the Madrid region and Ávila province after multiple wildfires spread uncontrollably, ordering the evacuation of more than 10,000 people and deploying military units to manage the situation.
On 24 July 2026, foreign news agencies reported that Spain's Ministry of the Interior declared a national state of emergency in the Madrid region and Ávila province, near Madrid, following severe and uncontrollable wildfires at several locations.
The government stated that the emergency declaration aims to expedite the mobilization of personnel and resources to extinguish the fires, transferring crisis response operations to military emergency units. Over the past several days, more than 10,000 people in the Madrid region have been evacuated due to simultaneous wildfires. Authorities have also issued evacuation alerts for another 3,500 residents in the town of Aldea de Fresno, approximately 60 kilometers from Madrid.
Meanwhile, the wildfire that broke out in Ávila province on 23 July continues to spread uncontrollably, leading authorities to order residents in Burgohondo, El Tiemblo, and Navalucillos to stay indoors for safety. Additionally, the newspaper El País reported that over 1,500 people were evacuated from natural tourist areas and residential villages in El Tiemblo after the flames rapidly expanded.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the government has mobilized all available resources to address the wildfires affecting Ávila, León, Toledo, Madrid, and other parts of the country. He urged the public to exercise great caution and strictly follow official instructions.