Spain has declared a national state of emergency for areas around Madrid and another region as widespread wildfires rage across the country. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warned the situation is "dramatic" and regional, with large blazes also reported in France and Italy. More than 20,000 people — including about 10,000 in Greater Madrid — have been evacuated, and the government has handed operational command to a military crisis unit to speed response and release extra funding.
Spain Declares State of Emergency Near Madrid as Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations
Birds fly through thick clouds of smoke above a herd of goats during a forest fire. (is associated with: «Spain declares state of emergency in two regions due to forest fires») Carlos Luján/EUROPA PRESS/dpa
Spain has declared a state of emergency for areas around Madrid and another affected region as a series of large wildfires continue to burn across the country. Officials say the move unlocks additional funding and emergency powers to support firefighting and relief operations as blazes spread amid difficult weather.
"We are living through a dramatic situation, not only in various Spanish provinces but also in regions of neighbouring countries,"Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote on X, noting that major fires are also affecting parts of France and Italy.
What Authorities Are Doing
The Interior Ministry announced on X that extra personnel would be deployed to fight the fires. Operational command has been transferred to a military crisis unit that reports directly to the government, a move intended to streamline coordination and speed resource allocation.
Public broadcaster RTVE reported that this is the first time a "state of emergency of national significance" has been declared specifically because of forest fires in Spain.
Evacuations and Local Impact
More than 20,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes so far, including roughly 10,000 residents in the Greater Madrid area. In the north-western province of Ávila, about 1,500 people were evacuated as flames threatened town centres in several municipalities. Many evacuees are staying in emergency shelters or with relatives while they await clearance to return.
Authorities warned that further evacuations may be necessary as firefighters contend with multiple fire fronts and "particularly unfavourable" weather, including strong winds that could fuel the blazes.
Threat To Infrastructure
The fires came close to the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex in Robledo de Chavela, around 50 kilometres west of Madrid. The complex's manager, Raúl Alonso, told ABC newspaper that the fire had practically reached the facility. The station's roughly 50 staff members and local residents were evacuated to safety. The complex operates six antennas, and officials said they hope at least some systems escaped damage.
So far this year, more than 125,000 hectares have burned across Spain, underscoring the scale of the emergency.
Outlook: Weather forecasts and wind conditions remain a critical factor. Emergency services continue to mobilize resources, and the national government has prioritized rapid funding and military coordination to support firefighting and civilian protection efforts.
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