International News: More than 70,000 evacuated as wildfires rage near Madrid, Spain
By Zoila Palma: More than 70,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes as severe forest fires spread across areas near Spain’s capital, Madrid.
Authorities have ordered residents to flee to safety as firefighters battle the blazes amid challenging conditions.
In the province of Ávila, northwest of Madrid, approximately 38,000 people have been evacuated, according to Francisco Martín Aguirre, the Spanish government’s prefect for Madrid. Another 35,000 people have reportedly been evacuated from areas surrounding the capital, while more than 20,000 others are unable to leave their homes because of the fires.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government on Friday declared a “state of emergency of national significance” in the Greater Madrid area and Ávila.
According to Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE, it is the first time the country has issued such a declaration in response to forest fires.
The Interior Ministry said weather conditions improved overnight on Saturday, helping emergency crews in their efforts to contain the fires.
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7/25/2026 7:45:36 AM