The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has assured that the work done tonight in the fight against the fires “has been important, with a relatively positive advance, and we can be a little more calm.” The arrival of a new heat wave makes these next hours decisive to combat the fire that keeps the provinces of Madrid, Ávila, and Toledo and also the area of Vall d’Uixò (Castellón) on alert.
The work in the Sierra de Madrid has been “effective” against the active fronts and has reduced the “threat,” although the fires remain uncontrolled. “The area around the Cofio River is the most critical at the moment,” points out the 112 of the Community of Madrid.
The fires, in numbers
- Evacuated in Madrid: about 31,865 people evacuated in 13 localities (Chapinería, Navas del Rey, Colmenar del Arroyo, Fresnedillas de la Oliva, Robledo de Chavela, Navalagamella, Aldea del Fresno, Zarzalejo, Pedanía de Peralejo, Rozas de Puerto Real, Cadalso de los Vidrios, Cenicientos, and Valdemaqueda)
- Confined in Madrid: about 26,316 people (San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Villa del Prado, Pelayos de la Presa, and Santa María de la Alameda).
- Evacuated in Ávila: 25,087 people in 16 towns (Sotillo de la Adrada, Navahondilla, Casillas, Santa María del Tiétar, La Adrada, Piedralaves, Casavieja, Burgohondo, Hoyo de Pinares, Villanueva de Ávila, Urbanización La Atalaya de El Tiemblo, Pedro Bernardo, Higuera de las Dueñas, Gavilanes, Mijares, and Fresnedilla).
- Confined in Ávila: 8,735 people (Navaluenga, El Tiemblo, Las Navas del Marqués, and Cebreros)
- Evacuated in Toledo: 1,941 people (La Iglesuela del Tiétar, Sartajada)
- Evacuated in Castellón: About 10,000 people from several localities near Vall dUixó.
- Burned hectares: 80,000 between Madrid, Ávila, and Toledo, 8,500 in Castellón.
Sánchez: “We can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel in the fight against fires”
Sánchez, after the CECOD meeting at the Moncloa Palace: “We can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel in the fight against fires”
Lepe (Huelva) fire controlled
The forest fire declared this Monday in Lepe (Huelva) is controlled and the level has dropped to pre-emergency phase, operational situation 0. At this time, about ten personnel continue working in the area to finish it off, according to reports from the Infoca Plan on social media.
The Minister of Presidency of the Junta of Andalusia, Antonio Sanz, has thanked all personnel for their quick response. Reports Esther Gómez.
Forest fires have already burned more than 173,650 hectares in 2026
Forest fires have burned a total of 173,651.46 hectares in Spain between January 1 and July 28, 2026, compared to 29,817 hectares burned in the same period in 2025, six times more than a year ago.
According to the latest data from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, which includes satellite adjustments from EFFIS, 35 large forest fires (GIF) have been recorded in 2026, compared to 7 recorded in the same period in 2025.
Vulnerable families at the Las Rozas Football City
The Royal Spanish Football Federation has made available to families affected by the fires the residence at the Las Rozas Football City, where some of the most vulnerable evacuated people remain, such as an 84-year-old couple, a baby barely eight months old, and a family with two children, one of them with autism.
Having been forced to leave their homes practically with only what they had on them and without knowing when they can return, they have accommodation, food, and clothing while their situation is resolved, as many of these families did not have time to prepare luggage before leaving their homes.
About 300 personnel work on the fire in the Sierra Oeste of Madrid
About 300 personnel from the Madrid Community Fire Department are working with 50 ground resources and another ten aerial resources to extinguish the large fire in the Sierra Oeste, which has already burned about 34,000 hectares of Madrid territory and has forced the evacuation of a dozen municipalities.
According to a report from the Madrid president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, on her official social media profile, more than 56,500 residents are confined due to the advance of flames that also force the closure of 13 roads and for which four localities are confined. About 3,000 people are housed in the 24 reception points enabled in 21 localities of the region.
The Civil Guard has received reports of possible thefts in areas affected by the fires
The Civil Guard spokesperson, Mercedes Martín, has confirmed that agents have already received several reports from residents in areas affected by the fires alerting of possible looting in their homes.
“We have received several calls in which they are telling us, especially because some people have alarms connected, that break-ins are occurring,” Martín explained in an interview on the program ‘La hora de La 1’ on ‘TVE’, reported by Europa Press.
Thus, Mercedes Martín insisted that later, when evacuees return to their homes, it will be necessary to check if thefts have occurred and then start filing the necessary complaints.
In this regard, the spokesperson for the Benemérita emphasized that due to the extent of the affected areas, the number of displaced people, and the number of towns without residents, the Civil Guard has to make a “very significant extra effort,” especially in the Community of Madrid, “to maintain security and prevent thefts.”
The Government delegate in Madrid expects the upcoming return of evacuees due to the fire
The Government delegate in Madrid, Francisco Martín, trusts that in the coming hours the forest fires in the Community may definitively evolve towards the possibility of enabling the return of evacuees from different localities.
Francisco Martín made these statements before participating this Tuesday in the meetings of the State Coordination Committee (CECOD) of the State Emergency Plan and the Integrated Operational Coordination Center (CECOPI) at the advanced command post installed in the Madrid locality of Navalcarnero.
“If we confirm that the safety conditions are met to enable those returns, we will announce it and make that decision as long as safety conditions are met to facilitate the return,” said the Government delegate.
“We are heading in that direction, without a doubt, and we trust that over the next few hours we can definitively evolve towards the possibility of ordering the end of those restrictions that we have had to impose in previous days,” he added, according to Efe.
Evacuation order lifted in La Vilavella (Castellón)
The Generalitat has lifted the evacuation order for the municipality of La Vilavella affected by the Vall d’Uixó fire, allowing its residents to return to their homes immediately, as published in the Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana. In any case, the population of this Castellón municipality will have to remain confined in their homes until 11:59 p.m. this Tuesday, as with the rest of the affected towns. Reports Noa De La Torre.
“Quite favorable” night in the Ávila fire, but with “small flare-ups”
The Ávila fire, the largest in Spain’s history with more than 50,000 hectares burned, had a “quite favorable” evolution last night, according to the Government delegate in Castilla y León, Nicanor Sen.
From the Advanced Command Post (PMA) in Navaluenga (Ávila), he explained that the past night was “quite favorable, after the very adverse weather conditions on Monday.” However, “small flare-ups” have occurred, he said, according to Efe.
Operators reinforce networks and deploy mobile units in fire-affected areas
MasOrange, Telefónica, and Vodafone have reinforced their telecommunications networks these days and deployed technical teams and mobile units to maintain connectivity in areas affected by the fires, in coordination with authorities, emergency services, and other operators.
This operation has taken place in a context where level 3 emergency has been declared, the highest established within the State General Emergency Plan of Civil Protection, and where nearly 100,000 people have had to be evacuated or confined due to forest fires ravaging the Community of Madrid, Ávila, Vall d’Uixó (Castellón), and Toledo.
Operators have deployed their teams throughout the affected areas to restore fiber, burned towers, and provide coverage to the population as soon as possible, whenever the situation allows intervention given the danger in some places, sources from the operators explained to EFE this Tuesday.
A fire of about 1,000 hectares remains active in Portugal 20 kilometers from Spain
A fire that has burned about 1,000 hectares so far remains active this Tuesday in the Portuguese municipality of Guarda, about 20 kilometers in a straight line from the border with Spain, and concentrates the largest extinction device deployed in Portugal.
The fire started on Monday in a scrub area of Rochoso e Monte Margarida and maintains two fronts during the morning, fought by 282 personnel, 87 vehicles, and one aerial resource, according to data available at 09:00 local time (08:00 GMT).
The burned area is still a provisional estimate obtained through data from the VIIRS and MODIS satellites and not a figure validated by the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests. Reports Efe.
The Government increases fire extinction spending by 34% between 2024 and 2026
The Government has increased the budget allocated to forest fire extinction by more than 34% between 2024 and 2026, a reinforcement that has allowed improving the working conditions of the Forest Fire Reinforcement Brigades (BRIF).
Specifically, the BRIF budget has increased by 47% in addition to a new agreement being approved that better recognizes the work these brigades perform throughout the year, according to data from the Ministry for Ecological Transition (Miteco) released this Tuesday and reported by Efe.
Likewise, the Ministry is also renewing its bases, reinforcing aerial resources, and advancing in the acquisition of seven new amphibious planes, whose incorporation will begin from 2028.
This increase is part of the effort made in recent years by Miteco to strengthen the State’s capacity as support to the autonomous communities, which are the competent administrations in the prevention, management, and extinction of forest fires.
Efforts focus on preventing fire from advancing towards the Sierra de Espadán (Castellón)
Efforts to extinguish the forest fire in Vall d’Uixó (Castellón) focus this Tuesday between the towns of Tales and Alcudia de Veo to prevent the flames from advancing towards the Sierra de Espadán natural park.
“That is where we will put all the ground resources” after a night in which drones from forest firefighters and the Military Emergency Unit (UME) flew over the area to have a perimeter that facilitates the work, explained this Tuesday the Valencian Minister of Emergencies and Interior, Juan Carlos Valderrama.
In statements to À Punt from the advanced command post, reported by Efe, Valderrama said that 34 aerial resources are available and that they are expected to act in that area after a night where there was favorable evolution in the fight against the fire thanks to the work carried out by ground resources.
The minister pointed out that, after the safety of citizens and homes, one of the objectives is “to defend as much as possible the natural area of the Sierra de Espadán, the province’s lung and a heritage that all Castellón residents want us to defend in the best possible way,” for which “essential services are fully involved.”
“Critical” situation at the animal rescue center in Cadalso de los Vidrios (Madrid)
The president and co-founder of the Vegan Sanctuary, Laura Luengo, has assured that the situation at the facilities is “very critical” due to the forest fire affecting the San Martín de Valdeiglesias area, although she confirmed that all animals in the shelter are safe.
In an update shared on social media on Monday, Luengo explained that sanctuary workers could only access the facilities accompanied by Civil Guard agents and after waiting more than four hours for authorization, as the fire’s reactivation and intense smoke presence prevented passage.
“It is a very critical situation that we cannot sustain much longer, but we have to see how the next hours evolve,” said the sanctuary manager, who indicated that the team has been “practically sleepless” for three days, under great pressure due to the emergency.
She detailed that the sanctuary animals are in good condition and this is already the second day they can be cared for after access difficulties caused by the fire. However, she lamented the death of an elderly mare belonging to a local equestrian center.
“A large part of Spain at extreme fire risk”
The Generalitat lifts confinement in the town of La Vall d’Uixó (Castellón)
The Generalitat Valenciana has lifted the confinement in the entire Castellón town of La Vall d’Uixó, affected by the fire declared four days ago, as planned.
According to the ‘112 Comunitat Valenciana,’ evacuation and confinement measures remain in place in the other municipalities affected by the fire until 11:59 p.m. today, July 28.
This morning, different aerial resources were already working throughout the area to try to control the fire, the same sources pointed out. For now, the fire has an approximate perimeter of 72 kilometers and has burned about 8,500 hectares.
La Rioja sends 15 personnel with 3 fire trucks and 2 light vehicles to support Ávila
The Government of La Rioja reported this Tuesday that a total of 15 personnel with three fire trucks and two light vehicles have been sent to support the extinction of the Ávila fire. This action is carried out in coordination with the National Emergency Monitoring and Coordination Center (CENEM) and through Civil Protection.
According to data provided by the regional government, “this morning, at 5 a.m., a support device for human and material resources acting in the Ávila province fire left from Logroño.” Specifically, the destination Advanced Command Post (PMA) is Navaluenga.
The convoy consists of a type 2 forest fire truck, with driver and assistant, accompanied by a forest agent from the Directorate General of Natural Environment. Likewise, from CEIS Rioja, a heavy rural fire truck and light vehicle have been sent, with a total of eight people.
Finally, from the Logroño City Fire Department, a heavy urban fire truck and light vehicle have been sent, with a total of four people.
Ayuso opens the door to the relocation of several municipalities
“The fire situation is improving little by little. The impressive work of the fire services allows us to be more optimistic today and consider the safe relocation of several municipalities. Our recognition to all public services and those affected for their enormous effort and resilience,” wrote the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, on X.
Marlaska: “The acquisition of certain aircraft is complicated”
Marlaska was also asked about the water bombers, which his own government declared “urgent” and “imperative” to modernize in 2022 but has not renewed. “The acquisition of certain aircraft is complicated and we are doing it,” the Interior Minister justified before the cameras of La 1.
Marlaska reports positive work during the night: “We can be a little more calm”
The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, assured on La Hora de La1 that the work done tonight in the fight against fires “has been important work, with a relatively positive advance, we can be a little more calm. This morning, we are very satisfied with the work done. We will consolidate the work done.”
He also specified that “it is being treated as a single unit because there have been interconnections between the Madrid and Ávila fires, but there has not been a total or absolute convergence” of the two large fires that have already burned about 70,000 hectares.
“The area around the Cofio River, the most critical” in the Sierra de Madrid fire
Emergencies of the Community of Madrid reports that 50 ground resources have worked throughout the night on the fire affecting the Sierra Oeste. “The work has been positive around the Cofio River, which is the most critical area at the moment.”
The Government will approve measures this Tuesday for workers affected by the fires
The Ministry of Labor and Social Economy is working on a royal decree law of support measures for workers affected by natural disasters, such as the forest fires occurring in Spain, which will be approved this Tuesday in the Council of Ministers.
The text, which the Ministry is still working on, will include a series of measures to support workers who have suffered the consequences of the fires, such as those who have been evacuated.
According to Labor sources, some of the proposed measures are doubling the days of leave for the death of a family member — up to ten days —, a work permit for those who have been evacuated even if their workplaces operate normally, or a new benefit fully funded by the Ministry, according to Europa Press.
Night work prevents the Madrid fire from reaching Valdemaqueda
The night has allowed effective fighting against active fronts in the Community of Madrid, according to government delegation sources. In the north, heavy machinery, extinction means, and technical fires have worked, “achieving the goal of preventing the fire from reaching Valdemaqueda.”
“The effort made on that front yesterday, with massive use of aerial resources (7 water bombers and 4 helicopters) and concentration of ground resources, with more than 400 personnel during the night, has allowed reducing the threat, always with the caution of thinking that the fire is not yet controlled and that conditions remain changing, besides anticipating a worsening of weather conditions, keeping the fire situation active.”
“Presumably, today efforts will focus on surveillance and refreshing areas rather than fighting the front,” the same sources point out. Reports Vicente Coll.
47 roads closed due to fires
The DGT reports on its X account that 47 roads remain closed due to fires in Madrid, Ávila, Toledo, and Castellón. “We ask you to avoid traveling on roads in the western Madrid mountain area, in the fire zones of Ávila, Toledo, and Castellón, and to stay informed through official channels.”
Castilla y León activates the fourth alert for forest fire risk
The Junta publishes this Tuesday in the Official Bulletin of Castilla y León (BOCyL) a new declaration of alert situation for meteorological risk of forest fires for July 28, 29, 30, and 31 throughout the community, the fourth resolution approved this summer by the Directorate General for Prevention and Extinction of Forest Fires due to episodes of extraordinary meteorological conditions that increase the risk.
Weather forecasts point to an unfavorable change in atmospheric conditions due to the establishment of an anticyclonic ridge over the community, which will cause maximum temperatures between 36 and 39 degrees, minimum relative humidities below 10 percent, winds with intensities between 20 and 35 kilometers per hour, and gusts up to 45 kilometers per hour.
Additionally, storms are expected on Friday, July 31, in northern Castilla y León, according to the regional government in a statement reported by Europa Press.
Fire danger indices prepared by the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) and the Infocal operation place the risk between “very high and extreme” throughout the period, during which the probability of ignition and fire spread capacity remain very high.
The Vall d’Uixó fire faces its fourth day still active after burning 8,500 hectares
The fire declared last Saturday in Vall d’Uixó (Castellón) faces this Tuesday its fourth day still active, after having burned about 8,500 hectares, and keeps about 10,000 people evacuated, after about 6,000 were authorized to return home Monday night.
In the last meeting of the Integrated Operational Coordination Center (Cecopi), held at 7:00 p.m. this Monday, the return of about 6,000 neighbors who had been evacuated from four neighborhoods of Vall d’Uixó was authorized, although they will have to remain confined in their homes until 8 a.m. today.
A new Cecopi has been convened at 10:00 a.m. to assess whether to also lift the confinements that keep or allow returning home in other surrounding municipalities, where the fire keeps more than fifteen municipalities evacuated, reports Efe.
Eight roads in the area remain closed: the CV-200 in Aín; the CV-203 in Caudiel; the CV-205 in Tales; the CV-215 in Alcúdia de Veo; the CV-219 in Eslida; the CV-223 in Nules; and the CV-2261 and CV-230 in Vall d’Uixó.
