Spanish authorities evacuated 12 villages after a major wildfire broke out near Fermoselle in Arribes del Duero National Park on the border with Portugal. About 950 people were moved to safety, including nursing home residents in Muga de Sayago. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warned that Spain is fighting 10 active wildfires amid a heatwave and has requested EU support to create a wildfire-fighting centre in Mallorca. Around 9,500 people in the Madrid region remain unable to return home, although some fires have been stabilised.
Major Wildfire Near Portugal Forces Evacuation of 12 Spanish Villages
Flames and smoke raise from a wildfire at the Arribes del Duero Natural Park in Fermoselle. (is associated with: «Spain evacuates villages as wildfire breaks out near Portugal border») Paloma V. Escarpa/EUROPA PRESS/dpa
Spanish authorities ordered the evacuation of 12 villages on Wednesday evening after a large wildfire broke out near the Portugal border in the Arribes del Duero National Park, in the north-western Castile and León region. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the situation as extremely tense as firefighters battled multiple blazes across the country amid a heatwave.
What Happened
The fire erupted close to the municipality of Fermoselle, prompting immediate emergency measures. Regional officials also issued stay-at-home orders for two nearby villages because of the danger to residents and poor air quality.
Evacuations and Impact
Spanish media reported that about 950 people were evacuated from the affected zone, including residents of a nursing home in Muga de Sayago, the Guardia Civil said in a post on X. Authorities moved people to safety and opened reception centres while firefighting teams worked to contain the flames.
National Response
Prime Minister Sánchez met King Felipe VI in Palma de Mallorca to discuss the worsening wildfire situation and the heightened fire risk driven by sustained high temperatures. Sánchez said Spain was contending with 10 active wildfires of varying intensity and urged the public to exercise extreme caution as a new heatwave was forecast to last until Sunday.
Sánchez also confirmed that Spain has formally asked the European Commission to consider establishing a European wildfire-fighting centre on the island of Mallorca to improve cross-border response and coordination.
Current Status
Officials reported that conditions were slowly improving in some areas, with several evacuation and movement restrictions lifted. Nonetheless, roughly 9,500 people in the Madrid region remained unable to return to their homes. Authorities said they had stabilised a wildfire in the Sierra Norte area west of Madrid and another in the neighbouring province of Toledo. In the province of Ávila, all evacuation orders and movement restrictions had been lifted.
Note: Firefighting operations are ongoing and conditions can change rapidly. Residents in affected regions should follow official guidance from local authorities.
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