Spain faces one of its worst wildfire crises in decades

Spain is experiencing one of its most destructive wildfire seasons in decades, with more than 130,000 hectares of land burned, far exceeding the country’s average annual total of 100,000 hectares over the past decade. The area destroyed is also more than five times greater than what had burned during the same period in 2025.

The most critical situation is centered around Madrid and Ávila, where several wildfires have merged into a massive blaze described as the worst in the history of the Madrid region. More than 30,000 people have been evacuated, while another 40,000 residents remain under confinement orders as authorities fear the fires in Ávila and Madrid could merge into an even larger front.

The 2026 wildfire season has already become one of the deadliest in recent decades, with 13 fatalities reported. Emergency crews continue to battle the flames under extremely difficult conditions fueled by a combination of record-high temperatures, strong winds, and rapidly expanding fire fronts.

The Spanish government has declared a national emergency as firefighters and military units work to contain multiple active wildfires, warning that the situation remains highly volatile.