Wildfires in Spain, Sánchez Warns: Difficult Hours Still Ahead in Battle Against Flames

Although authorities have made progress in containing the wildfires near Madrid, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warned that the country still faces “several difficult hours” before the flames are brought under control.

During an inspection of the affected areas in Avila, Sánchez said emergency forces were focusing on securing sectors where the fire had been brought under control, while several hotspots remained active. “We are working to consolidate certain areas where it appears the fires may already have been brought under control and extinguished,” he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Alfonso Arribas, head of the Military Emergency Unit, also confirmed significant progress along the fire’s perimeter. However, operations are continuing at several hotspots.

According to Sánchez, the situation is worsening during the wildfire season. He announced that, in less than 24 hours, the area engulfed by flames in Spain had increased from 130,000 to 150,000 hectares.