Spain is facing another critical day battling wildfires amid an intense heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 42°C in some areas—significantly raising the risk of new fire outbreaks. The region of Castilla-La Mancha is currently the epicenter of concern.
Evacuations Underway Near Toledo
A wildfire broke out on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, in a mixed forested and urban area near Almoróx in the province of Toledo. Authorities have evacuated several populated areas, including El Encinar del Alberche and the municipality of Villa del Prado—both located in the Madrid region. Residents of Ribera del Alberche, Rincón del Alberche, and a nearby campsite were also instructed to evacuate toward the town of Aldéa del Fresno.
Emergency Response Activated
In response, the Community of Madrid activated two Emergency Alerts, implemented Operational Level 2 under its Civil Protection Plan, and requested support from Spain’s Military Emergency Unit (UME). Currently, the M-507 motorway toward Navalcarnero and the N-403 road toward Toledo are closed at their intersection. A total of 30 ground and aerial firefighting units are operating in the affected zone.
Some Progress in Guadalajara
There is cautious optimism regarding fires in Guadalajara province. The blaze in Selas—which began intensely—has shown favorable development over recent hours, according to Alfonso Díaz Nieto, a fire suppression technician for Castilla-La Mancha. Though still classified at Level 2, it has burned approximately 2,700 hectares in under 24 hours. Six towns—Establés, Concha, Torrubia, Tartanedo, Pardos, and Aragoncillo—were evacuated but residents have now been allowed to return.
A similar improvement has been reported in La Mierla, also in Guadalajara, which has entered a ‘stabilization phase’. The fire has not spread into the neighboring province of Soria, and growth has remained minimal throughout the day.
Most Challenging Front Remains in Contemios
The most complex situation persists in the Contemios area, where the fire continues to burn.
La Mierla: Spain’s Second-Worst Wildfire on Record
Despite improvements, damage from the La Mierla fire remains catastrophic: roughly 35,000 hectares have been destroyed—making it the largest forest fire in Castilla-La Mancha’s history and the second-worst in Spain’s recorded history.
The regional government of Castilla-La Mancha expects that five villages in Guadalajara’s Sierra Norte—Riofrío del Llano, Cardeñosa, Santiuste, Angón, and Rebollosa de Jadraque—will soon be cleared for residents to return. Meanwhile, Castilla y León has already announced the return of inhabitants to Barcones in Soria province.
This does not signal a relaxation of efforts: firefighting personnel remain fully deployed to achieve full containment and enable the return of residents from 29 additional evacuated villages. Authorities also aim to lift lockdown restrictions in another 14 locations.