Spain Lifts Evacuations for Thousands, but a Fourth Heatwave Fuels New Fire Fears

Spanish authorities have cleared the way for thousands of evacuees to return home after wildfire restrictions were eased in Toledo, Madrid, Ávila, and Castellón. In the Madrid region alone, 24,000 people were told they could go back, and lockdowns affecting another 20,000 were lifted. The reprieve comes just as Spain and France brace for the fourth major heatwave of the summer, with temperatures set to climb again and some fires still burning out of control.

The most alarming blaze continues at Burgohondo, 150 kilometres west of Madrid, which has already scorched more than 43,000 hectares and forced 40,000 people from their homes. Officials call it the largest wildfire in Spanish history. In southwest France, the massive Gironde fires are described as “still stabilised,” but flare-ups and dry winds pushing 41°C have put 16 departments under orange heatwave alerts. The mayor of Le Barp warned that everyone must remain “hyper-vigilant” after two new fires broke out. Firefighters have also been forced to protect several “Seveso” sites – industrial plants that handle hazardous materials for France’s defence and aerospace sectors.

For holidaymakers, the situation remains fluid. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the next 12 hours would be “decisive” in fighting the fire near Madrid, though conditions were improving “with maximum caution.” One blaze at Vall d’Uixó, northwest of Valencia, is still out of control. In the Tiétar Valley, some 2,000 evacuees were cared for by volunteers in Talavera de la Reina, with the mayor promising the same level of support. While no new fatalities have been reported from the Madrid-area fires, a woman injured earlier in Almería has died in hospital, bringing the total death toll from that blaze to 14, including UK, Belgian, US, French, and Spanish citizens. Fires are also burning in Portugal and Greece, so anyone with travel plans to the affected regions should check local alerts and keep flexible itineraries.