Spain declares national emergency as wildfires force 10,000 to evacuate near Madrid

The Spanish government has declared a national emergency after a series of large wildfires erupted in the Madrid region and the province of Ávila late Thursday. The declaration is intended to accelerate the deployment of firefighting resources and support for affected communities.

The blazes have forced roughly 10,000 residents to evacuate, and authorities have criticized the pace of the initial response, stating that “not enough has been done” to contain and prevent the fires, which are no longer considered a temporary emergency. France 24 correspondent Sarah Morris reports that the emergency status will allow the central government to mobilise additional personnel, equipment, and financial aid to the hardest‑hit areas.