Spain faces fires, Sánchez: The situation is gradually improving

Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish prime minister, has emphasized that the situation of the fires that have engulfed central and western areas of the country is showing optimistic signs.

During a media appearance, he praised the efforts of emergency teams and the armed forces, underlining that the advance of the flames is being contained. “In the battle with the fires, we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, yet we remain vigilant,” Sánchez said.

In recent days, the flames on the outskirts of Madrid intensified after three large hotspots merged into a single front, fueled by strong winds, dry air, and rugged terrain.

On July 25, the shift in wind direction accelerated the spread of the fire and formed massive columns of smoke, so-called fire clouds, significantly complicating the work of ground teams.

Data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) show that in the Navaluenga sector of the province of Ávila, approximately 440,000 hectares of land have been scorched, where forest areas predominate and about 77 percent of the affected zone is within Natura protected areas.

Despite the reported improvement, authorities warn that high temperatures and weather conditions remain a serious threat for the rekindling and expansion of hotspots.