Madrid Plaza Mayor. Photo: Shutterstock Spain has declared a national interest emergency as wildfires continue to affect parts of the country, marking a significant escalation in the government's response to the ongoing crisis.
The declaration applies to the fires in Madrid and Ávila and means that Spain's Ministry of the Interior, which oversees the country's police and security forces, has taken charge of coordinating firefighting efforts alongside regional authorities.
According to statements shared by Spanish officials, at least 13 people have died in wildfires so far, making this one of the country's deadliest fire seasons in recent years.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the situation as "dramatic," saying that wildfires are not only affecting several Spanish provinces but also neighboring countries like France, which today ordered a temporary maritime shutdown in Arcachon Bay amid sea evacuations from the Lège Cap Ferret peninsula because of the massive wildfire in the Gironde department.
The prime minister expressed solidarity with residents who have seen forests destroyed and homes threatened by the advancing flames.
"The Government has deployed all available resources. It will stand by your side during the emergency and in the recovery," Sánchez said, while thanking firefighters, the Military Emergency Unit (UME), Civil Protection personnel, and security forces working around the clock to contain the blazes.
Wildfire. Photo: ShutterstockSpain's Civil Protection agency has also issued fresh warnings for July 24, highlighting an elevated wildfire danger index across the country. Authorities warned of extreme heat in several regions, including the Almanzora Valley and Los Vélez in Almería, while thunderstorms are expected in parts of Aragón, Asturias, Catalonia, Galicia, and the Valencian Community.
Overnight, units from the UME carried out direct firefighting operations and worked to protect areas threatened by the fire in Pelayos de la Presa.
According to Madrid's Security and Emergency Services, "despite the fact that the nighttime operations have been effective, the fires remain unperimetered and uncontrolled. The number of evacuations remains the same (over 10,000). The SUMMA112 has attended to affected persons in its preventive devices, mainly chronic patients."
Spanish authorities are urging both residents and visitors to follow official instructions, avoid unnecessary risks, and remain alert as emergency crews continue their efforts.
In mid-July, Italy issued high wildfire alerts across parts of Sardinia and Sicily amid hot, dry weather raising the risk of fast-spreading fires.