'It's a hell of a situation': Spain grapples with devastating wildfires
Temperatures are expected to approach 40C in some regions in the coming days, with the heatwave forecast to last at least until Sunday. Spain's state
Temperatures are expected to approach 40C in some regions in the coming days, with the heatwave forecast to last at least until Sunday. Spain's state meteorological agency Aemet has warned the "fire danger level will continue to rise to extreme levels, hindering firefighting efforts". Ayuso confirmed that four municipalities remained under lockdown orders while another 12 were evacuated.
She had earlier described the wildfires as "the biggest natural catastrophe in the history of Spain" and of flames turning the area into a "war zone". In the Madrid region alone, more than 56,500 people have been evacuated since the fires broke out last week. A further 27,797 people have been ordered to stay at home.
Further evacuations have taken place in Ávila, Toledo and Valencia. Ayuso wrote on X that the situation was now "improving little by little" and some residents may soon be allowed to return home. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska told Spain's La 1 TV channel that firefighting efforts on Monday night had resulted in "relatively positive progress".
"This morning, we are very satisfied with the work done. We are going to consolidate the work that has been done," he said. He maintained that "we must be positive; we have the emergency under control" but conceded that "weather conditions are not helping us at all".
The BriefWire