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The fire comes amid Spain’s third heatwave of the summer, with temperatures forecast to soar above 40C.
Published on 21 Jul 2026
Hundreds of Spanish firefighters have been battling wildfires near the capital Madrid, which are on the verge of breaking out in the summer as the country faces its third heatwave of the year.
More than 600 firefighters and soldiers, supported by 29 aircraft, spent a sixth day battling the blaze on Tuesday when it broke out north of Madrid.
The fire has burned about 30,000 hectares (74,000 acres) and forced about 1,200 people to evacuate their homes. A total of 34 cities have been evacuated, and residents of 14 other states have been told to stay indoors.
Strong winds and dry, unsettled terrain in the sparsely populated area have made the fire more difficult to fight.
Temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) have added to the stress on firefighters as helicopters and planes aid in fighting the blaze.
Officials said the fire was one of the worst they had ever faced. It has been burning since last Thursday in the province of Guadalajara, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of the capital, and is now Spain’s deadliest fire of the year.
The country has experienced a difficult summer, and has now entered the third season of the season.
Fire in Almeria at the beginning of this month they killed 13 peoplemaking it one of the most dangerous places in Spain in recent memory.
Scientists say human-induced climate change is increasing the length, intensity and frequency of heat waves, drying out vegetation and increasing the risk of devastating wildfires.
In 2025, more than 393,000 hectares (371,000 acres) were destroyed by fire, according to the European Forest Fire Information System, which is the most in Spain’s recent history.
