BREAKING: Wildfire emergency near Madrid forces over 10,000 to flee as Spain sounds alarm
Dramatic footage captured overnight between July 23 and 24, 2026, in the towns of San Martín de Valdeiglesias and Chapinería, southwest of Madrid, shows firefighters battling intense wildfires, Civil Guard officers responding to the fast-moving flames, and displaced residents taking refuge in an emergency shelter.
Residents described scenes of thick smoke and towering flames engulfing parts of San Martín de Valdeiglesias, forcing many people, including elderly residents, to evacuate their homes.
Spain declared an unprecedented national wildfire emergency on Thursday night as rapidly spreading fires near Madrid and in the neighbouring province of Ávila forced more than 10,000 people to flee. The emergency declaration covered Villa del Prado, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Pelayos de la Presa and Aldea del Fresno, while more than 150 evacuees were accommodated in Chapinería, according to Mayor Lucía Moya. Several municipalities also reported homes that had been damaged or destroyed.
The declaration placed firefighting operations under the direct command of the Interior Ministry, enabling additional personnel and resources to be deployed. More than 270 emergency responders, supported by 40 ground units, Spain’s Military Emergency Unit and water-dropping aircraft, have been mobilised to contain the blazes despite strong winds and extreme temperatures hampering operations.
The latest fires come amid one of Spain’s worst wildfire seasons in recent years. Data from the European Forest Fire Information System shows that more than 104,000 hectares have been destroyed by wildfires across the country since the start of 2026.
Earlier this month, at least 13 people lost their lives in separate wildfires, including victims of a deadly blaze in Almería. The new outbreaks near Madrid add to a series of major fires that have also affected Guadalajara, Aragón and Andalusia, placing further pressure on Spain’s firefighting services during the peak summer wildfire season.
