Spain declares national emergency over forest fires near Madrid

Madrid – 24 July 2026: The Spanish government has declared a national civil protection emergency due to several serious forest fires in the Madrid region and the neighboring province of Ávila. As a result, overall operational coordination falls to Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez convened the state crisis committee on Friday. The measure responds to a situation that has rapidly worsened due to heat, drought and strong winds.

The particularly affected area is the Sierra Oeste, west of the capital. According to the regional government, the fires near San Martín de Valdeiglesias and Villa del Prado have merged into a single major fire. Operations are also underway in the eastern part of the region, including near Loeches. A section of the M-206 road was closed there. Authorities warn that glowing particles can be carried over long distances and cause new fire outbreaks.

According to the Government Delegation in Madrid, more than 45,000 people were affected by evacuations or orders to temporarily remain in their homes on Friday. The regional government arranged buses to transport residents and opened reception centers. As early as Thursday, more than 270 personnel with around 40 ground vehicles had been deployed in the particularly threatened municipalities alone. The figures may change due to the dynamic development of the situation.

The declaration of a national emergency has institutional significance. It does not imply a constitutional state of emergency, but activates the highest level of coordination within the state civil protection system. This allows the central government to pool resources from different administrations and centrally direct the deployment of the Military Emergency Unit (UME). The autonomous communities continue to participate in the practical response to the danger, but no longer retain exclusive operational command.

The fires near Madrid pose a particular challenge for authorities because they threaten densely populated areas, transport routes and technical infrastructure. In addition to firefighters and civil protection services, the Community of Madrid mobilized UME units. The fire near San Martín de Valdeiglesias broke out on Thursday near kilometer 57 of the M-501 road. On Friday, efforts focused on evacuations, protecting localities and limiting the spread.

Pedro Sánchez spoke of a dramatic situation affecting not only certain Spanish provinces, but also neighboring regions in other countries. The government links the operational management of the emergency with a warning about increasing risks due to longer periods of drought and extreme temperatures on the Iberian Peninsula. Over the coming hours, it will be crucial for the wind and heat to subside. Until then, protecting the population and ensuring the safety of settlements will take priority over rapidly and completely extinguishing the fires.