Spanish authorities establish unified command as wildfires threaten to merge in Madrid and Ávila

Spanish authorities have established a unified command as uncontrolled wildfires burning across western Madrid and eastern Ávila threaten to merge into a single front. Flames have consumed nearly 35,000 hectares across both regions, forcing emergency officials to evacuate or confine approximately 60,000 residents.

In Ávila, the national police academy has been converted into a major emergency shelter housing over 1,500 displaced people. First responders and Civil Guard officers reported being overwhelmed by the scale of the fires, describing the situation as unprecedented. Meanwhile, firefighting crews in Castellón continue attempting to contain an active blaze around Vall d'Uixò that remains beyond extinction capacity and has forced 15,000 evacuations across 15 municipalities.

Sources: El Mundo