Spain declares national emergency as fires spread near Madrid
More than 10,000 people have been evacuated, while the fire in Guadalajara alone has burned about 32,000 hectares.
Spain declared a national emergency in the Madrid region and the Province of Avila after several wildfires spread out of control. The Interior Ministry took the step to speed the deployment of firefighting resources. In recent days, more than 10,000 people have been evacuated from various areas around Madrid. On the morning of July 23, authorities also issued evacuation orders to 3,500 residents in Aldea del Fresno, about 60 kilometers from the capital. In Avila, the spreading fire triggered stay-at-home orders for residents of Burgohondo, El Tiemblo and Navaluenga, while 1,500 people were evacuated from tourist and residential complexes in El Tiemblo. The largest fire is in the Province of Guadalajara and has burned about 32,000 hectares.