Spanish firefighters battle blaze near Madrid
Updated July 19 2026 - 11:13am, first published 11:09am
More than 1100 people were forced to leave their homes as firefighters battled a blaze in Ores. Photo: EPA PHOTO
A major wildfire northeast of Madrid has scorched about 13,000 hectares and remains out of control, Spanish authorities say.
Public broadcaster RTVE reported that the flames had advanced a further 14km overnight as more than 500 firefighters and emergency personnel were working to create firebreaks and contain the blaze, which broke out on Thursday.
Regional Environment Minister Mercedes Gómez said these efforts have succeeded in keeping the fire away from nearby communities.
They are being supported by Spain's Military Emergency Unit (UME).
Ground crews are also being assisted by 25 firefighting aircraft.
Gómez said 20 municipalities, home to about 800 residents, had been evacuated as a precautionary measure.
The fire risk is high across large parts of Spain, with severe drought and low humidity affecting much of the country.
▶️ ACTUALIZACIÓN ➡️ #IFLaMierla en #Guadalajara La prioridad del operativo #INFOCAM de @gobjccm es la contención de la cabeza en la zona noroeste del #IIFF, la defensa de los núcleos urbanos e infraestructuras. 📹Protección de una explotación ganadera por parte de #BBFF… pic.twitter.com/ETVIM6B4Ln — INFOCAM (@Plan_INFOCAM) July 19, 2026
Since the beginning of the year, wildfires in Spain have destroyed more than 80,000 hectares, nearly double the area burned during the same period last year, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).
In 2025, however, the worst fires did not occur until August, when the burned area surged within just a few days from about 47,000 hectares at the end of July to 380,000 hectares in early August.
The blaze that broke out near Ores in the northeastern region of Aragon on Thursday is now largely under control after destroying about 14,400 hectares, according to Aragon regional president Jorge Azcón.
More than 1100 people were temporarily forced to leave their homes.
About 400 firefighters, supported by numerous helicopters and water-bombing aircraft, battled the flames.
Spain, neighbouring Portugal and several other European countries have been hit by a series of major wildfires in recent weeks.
In southern Spain's Andalusia region last week, 13 people died in a wildfire.
Most of the victims were elderly foreign residents living in Almería Province, including seven UK and three Belgian citizens.
Australian Associated Press
