A fast-moving wildfire about 100km north of Madrid is tearing through central Spain, scorching more than 12,000 hectares and prompting the evacuation of several hundred residents, according to local authorities.
The blaze ignited on Thursday in Guadalajara province, an area that includes the Sierra Norte Natural Park. So far, no casualties have been reported, but regional president Emiliano Garcia-Page and local officials have labelled the situation “difficult” in messages posted on X.
The fire is burning in a mountainous, forested zone known for its wildlife, including endangered species such as eagles, wolves and butterflies.
The outbreak follows closely after another major fire that began on Wednesday near Zaragoza in Spain’s northeast. That blaze has already burned nearly 16,000 hectares and remains “far from under control”, the Aragon regional government said in its latest update on Saturday evening.
No casualties have been reported.
Watch: Firefighters tackle flames at wildfire in central Spain
The latest emergencies come after one of Spain’s deadliest wildfires in recent memory earlier this month, when a blaze in the southern province of Almeria killed 13 people and destroyed 7,000 hectares.
Spain is considered on the front line of climate change and has endured longer and more frequent heatwaves in recent years, with temperatures climbing well above 40C—conditions that make it easier for fires to start and harder to contain once they spread.
Scientists say human-driven climate change is extending the duration of heatwaves while boosting their intensity and frequency, drying out vegetation and increasing the risk of wildfires.
