Firefighters battling Spain's worst wildfire crisis on record faced a critical test Saturday as authorities warned that strengthening winds could fuel massive blazes burning west of Madrid, despite cooler overnight conditions that briefly slowed the fires' advance.
The Interior Ministry said winds were expected to reach up to 60 kph (38 mph), raising concerns that the changing weather could undo gains made overnight as emergency crews worked to contain the fast-moving fires.
Two separate wildfires in the Madrid region merged Friday into a single massive blaze. Although the fire has not yet joined another large wildfire burning in neighboring Avila province in the Castilla y Leon region, officials remain concerned that shifting winds could push the fires together.
The fires have already forced more than 35,000 people to evacuate across Madrid and Avila, while tens of thousands more have been ordered to remain indoors because of dangerous smoke and fire conditions. Authorities said more than 30,000 residents were evacuated in the Madrid region alone, with over 20,000 confined to their homes. In Avila, another 5,150 residents have fled while 8,635 remain under stay-at-home orders.
The Madrid regional government said more than 2,000 evacuees are being housed in 14 emergency shelters.
