Multiple forest fires continue to burn across Spain, with emergency services working through the night to contain the main fronts. The most critical situations are concentrated in the provinces of Madrid, Ávila, Zamora, and Castellón, where evacuations, road closures, and aerial surveillance operations remain in place. The Unidad Militar de Emergencias (UME) has deployed a drone equipped with thermal imaging technology to monitor the advance of the flames in the Zamora fire.
In the Sierra Oeste region of Madrid, the regional environment minister Carlos Novillo stated on Thursday that the large forest fire there could have potentially affected up to one million people if it had spread eastward. The fire, which originally started from three separate points a week ago, merged into a single front due to weather conditions, spanning from Villa del Prado and San Martín de Valdeiglesias and also incorporating the Burgohondo fire in Ávila. The fourth phase of de-escalation has been completed successfully in Valdemaqueda and Robledo de Chavela, where residents have returned home. However, approximately 1,000 people remain evacuated in the urbanisations closest to the Pantano de San Juan reservoir, in the municipalities of San Martín de Valdeiglesias and Pelayos de la Presa.
The Burgohondo fire in Ávila is reported to be «quite calm» after a night of low wind speeds, according to technical director of extinction Alejandro Peñalvo. The main concern now centres on the Valle de Iruelas area. During the night, emergency teams responded to multiple reports of flames from smouldering stumps and fallen trees. Aerial resources have been deployed to monitor hotspots and carry out cooling operations on areas still emitting smoke.
The most severe evacuations are taking place in the province of Zamora, where the fire near Fermoselle has forced the confinement of the towns of Fermoselle and Fariza, including their elderly care homes. A total of 14 villages have been evacuated, affecting more than 800 people, according to the Guardia Civil. The evacuated locations are Pinilla, Cibanal, Fornillos, Formariz, Zafara, Mámoles, Palazuelo, Cozcurrita, Badilla, Tudera, Argañín, Muga de Sayago, Pasariegos and Villar del Buey. Four roads remain closed: CL-527, ZA-P-2221, ZA-P-2222 and ZA-P-2226. The mayor of Fermoselle, José Manuel Pilo, described the situation as «a huge smoke cloud and embers in the streets». The UME worked overnight in Zafara, Formariz and Dehesa de Pelazas to extinguish hotspots that could threaten homes, using a drone with thermal technology to monitor the head and right flank of the fire.
In Castellón, the forest fire declared last Saturday in the municipality of Vall de Uxó has entered its sixth day. Firefighters reported that advances made by both aerial and ground crews have allowed the fire to be fully perimetred, though the blaze remains active. Efforts continue to prevent any flare-ups.
The simultaneous fires across central and eastern Spain have stretched firefighting resources, with multiple regions relying on military support and aerial means. Authorities have urged residents in affected areas to follow evacuation orders and remain alert to changing conditions. The coming days will be crucial for containing the remaining fronts as weather forecasts indicate stable conditions that may aid firefighting efforts.