Overview
- The central government raised the crisis to a Situación Operativa 3 and placed operational command with the Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME) after regional services asked for national help.
- The Burgohondo wildfire in Ávila has burned about 9,000 hectares and holds an estimated 71-kilometre perimeter with a real risk of joining fires in the sierra west of Madrid.
- Authorities have evacuated or confined roughly 10,000–11,500 people, closed multiple regional roads, and moved residents from care homes and camps to safe facilities.
- The Guardia Civil’s SEPRONA unit says the Burgohondo fire likely began from sparks caused by heavy machinery used during a prohibited period; one person was detained and another is under investigation on alleged criminal charges.
- Strong winds and hot, dry conditions are hampering containment and Spain has requested the European Civil Protection Mechanism for aerial assets, with Greece offering Canadair planes to bolster firefighting efforts.