Spain Battles Uncontrolled Wildfires Amid Extreme Heat and Widespread Devastation

Madrid is under a red weather warning as temperatures are forecast to climb to 35°C in mountainous zones and 38°C elsewhere in the region.

The national government delegation in Madrid stated in its latest update that the fire “remains active and uncontrolled”.

“Today’s operations will concentrate on monitoring and cooling scorched areas in preparation for further deteriorating weather conditions,” the delegation added.

According to Minister for Ecological Transition Sara Aagesen, approximately 77,000 hectares (190,000 acres) across Spain have been scorched by the wildfires.

She noted that the blaze in the Ávila province is the largest wildfire in Spain’s recent history.

In Ávila, where over 50,000 hectares have burned since the fires began, the government representative reported that the fire had made a “quite favourable” overnight progression.

However, Nicanor Sen acknowledged that “minor flare-ups” had occurred and are being closely monitored by emergency crews.

Meanwhile, the Valencia regional government lifted a lockdown in the town of Vall d’Uixó after a wildfire that started on 25 July forced some 16,000 residents from 20 municipalities to evacuate.

However, David Vicente, a representative of the local council’s fire department, informed reporters on Tuesday afternoon that the blaze remains “very active”.

In neighbouring Portugal, firefighters are battling a large fire across three active fronts in the eastern Guarda district.

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has issued a very high red fire alert for large portions of the country, with some areas under the highest warning level.

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