Spain’s Spain Wildfires emergency intensified on Friday after Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska declared a national emergency in the Community of Madrid and Ávila province.

The declaration covers wildfires burning in the municipalities of Villa del Prado and San Martín de Valdeiglesias in Madrid, along with Burgohondo in Ávila, part of the Castilla y León region.

The Interior Ministry said authorities took the decision because multiple fires were spreading at the same time. High temperatures, strong winds and dry conditions have made firefighting efforts more difficult.

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More Than 10,000 Residents Evacuated

Authorities have evacuated more than 10,000 people from Villa del Prado, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Pelayos de la Presa and Aldea del Fresno.

Officials also cited the threat to residential areas, the need for preventive evacuations and the risk that the fires could spread beyond regional boundaries.

The government placed Spain’s Military Emergency Unit (UME) in charge of firefighting and emergency response operations.

Authorities Describe Situation as Critical

The Madrid regional government said the situation remains critical, with three major wildfires still active and not yet under control.

Regional officials warned that current weather conditions could allow the fires to continue advancing faster than emergency crews can contain them.

Spain has experienced a difficult wildfire season this year. Extreme heat, prolonged dry weather and strong winds have fuelled fires across several regions and complicated efforts to bring them under control.