Spain heatwave fuels wildfire near Madrid, smoke spreads across the region

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jul 18, 2025 03:48 IST

An out-of-control fire broke out on Thursday afternoon in the town of Mntrida, in central Spain's Castile-La Mancha region, about 50 kilometers southwest of Madrid. The fire spread rapidly, fuelled by scorching temperatures and gale-force winds, prompting authorities to issue safety notices.

A firefighting plane drops water to extinguish wildfire (AP Photo)

By late evening, the blaze had engulfed approximately 3,000 hectares (about 7,400 acres) of land, according to Spanish emergency services. The smoke from the fire, driven by the winds, spread over Madrid, casting a thick orange hue in the sky and severely reducing visibility. Inhabitants in the affected regions were advised to stay indoors and keep windows closed to avoid inhaling smoke and ash.

Ground units and air tankers were deployed in an emergency response, but the fire continued to spread despite their efforts.

According to a report in the Associated Press, Madrid registered a temperature of 37C (100F) on Thursday, with the majority of Spain still under heat and fire risk warnings. The extreme conditions have resulted in a tinderbox situation, elevating the likelihood and severity of wildfires nationwide.

Experts state that increased global temperatures are causing more intense and frequent wildfires in Europe. The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service indicates that Europe is warming at twice the average global rate since the 1980s. Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, which makes places more vulnerable to wildfires.

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With inputs from Associated Press