Spain: Fires remain out of control, 190,000 affected amid air warnings

Madrid, July 27 (KUNA) -- Spanish authorities warned today that the coming hours will be critical regarding the wildfires that remain out of control, with forecasts predicting deteriorating weather conditions. Spanish state television confirmed that firefighting teams continue their efforts, noting that more than 190,000 people have been affected, including those evacuated from their homes and those ordered to stay indoors as a precaution in the Madrid region and the provinces of Avila, Toledo, and Valencia.

It was clarified that Avila witnessed the largest forest fire in modern Spanish history, consuming more than 55,000 hectares, while fires in Madrid destroyed 25,000 hectares. Meanwhile, the fire in Valencia province in the east of the country destroyed approximately 7,200 hectares.

The television network quoted Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska as saying that "today and tomorrow represent two critical days" in the firefighting efforts, explaining that around 3,000 personnel continue to work on three main fronts in the Madrid and Avila fires. Marlaska added that weather conditions still allow firefighting operations to continue, but he warned that forecasts indicate a significant deterioration in weather starting next Wednesday, which could make containing the flames more difficult.

The Ministry for Ecological Transition reported in its latest figures that the area consumed by forest fires across Spain since the beginning of this year has risen to 172,396 hectares, compared to approximately 29,817 hectares during the same period last year. The ministry added that the number of major fires exceeding 500 hectares has reached 35 since the beginning of the year, compared to only 11 fires during the same period last year.

Firefighting teams from Portugal, Greece, Turkey, and Italy are participating in efforts to control the fires after Spain activated the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism. (End) H.N.D./F.D.S.