Wildfire emergency near Madrid forces over 10,000 to flee as Spain sounds alarm | Africanews

Last updated:

30 minutes ago

Dramatic footage filmed overnight on 23 and 24 July 2026 in San Martín de Valdeiglesias and Chapinería, south-west of Madrid, shows firefighters confronting towering flames, Civil Guard officers responding to the advancing fire, and displaced residents sheltering in an emergency centre.

Locals described flames and thick smoke surrounding San Martín de Valdeiglesias, forcing residents, including many elderly people, to flee their homes.

Spain declared an unprecedented national emergency over wildfires on Thursday night as rapidly spreading blazes near Madrid and in neighbouring Ávila province drove more than 10,000 residents from their homes. The emergency affected Villa del Prado, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Pelayos de la Presa and Aldea del Fresno, while Chapinería alone sheltered more than 150 evacuees, according to Mayor Lucía Moya. Several municipalities also reported homes damaged or destroyed.