The fire in the province of Ávila has scorched 50,000 hectares, surpassing all previous records. Minister Sara Aagesen visited the command post in Navalcarnero and announced new evacuations in western Madrid.
The wildfire affecting the province of Ávila (Castilla y León) has already burned 50,000 hectares, making it the most devastating in Spain's history since records began, according to Minister of Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, during a visit to the advanced command post in Navalcarnero (Madrid) on Sunday.
Previously, the worst recorded fire was the one that occurred in the northwest of the country in August 2025, which ravaged 37,765 hectares. This was followed by a fire just days ago that burned 32,000 hectares in the province of Guadalajara. The new disaster far exceeds both figures.
In total, the fires affecting the bordering provinces of Madrid, Ávila, and Toledo have scorched 77,000 hectares. Of these, 25,000 correspond to the Community of Madrid and another 2,000 to the province of Toledo. The Government has declared a national emergency due to the severity of the situation.
The density of smoke generated by these disasters is such that it can be seen from the Meteosat satellite, according to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet). The columns of smoke extend over a wide area of central Spain.
Nearly 90,000 people remain evacuated or confined in central Spain due to these fires. Additionally, another 16,000 have been evacuated in municipalities of Castellón, in the east of the country, due to another serious disaster. The minister has indicated that “more evacuations are still expected” in the western area of Madrid, without specifying particular locations.
During her visit to Navalcarnero, Aagesen praised the “joint” work of all public administrations during this extraordinarily complicated wildfire season. The second-in-command of the Military Emergency Unit (UME), General Fernando Martín Pascual, was also present, explaining that the firefighting teams are acting “effectively to stop and stabilise” these fires on many fronts, although he acknowledged that they have “tremendous complexity” and often exceed their extinguishing capacity.
The minister recalled that since the beginning of the year, 32 large wildfires have been recorded in Spain, burning around 153,000 hectares. This figure is six times higher than the same period last year, highlighting the severity of the season.
For residents of the Community of Madrid, the situation is particularly concerning. The flames are advancing through the western mountains and have forced the closure of several secondary roads. The public is advised to avoid forested areas and follow the authorities' instructions. The UME has deployed personnel in the affected municipalities, and the Madrid City Council has activated the emergency protocol to coordinate assistance for the evacuees.
Experts point out that the accumulated drought and high temperatures in recent weeks have created conditions conducive to the spread of fire. The weather forecast for the coming days is not favourable, with high temperatures and wind, which could complicate firefighting efforts.
The authorities have set up reception centres in Navalcarnero, Móstoles, and Alcorcón for the evacuated individuals. Citizens are advised to consult official channels for updated information on road closures and safety measures.
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