Overview
- The main blaze began in Burgohondo and, according to investigators, sparks from prohibited heavy machinery likely started the fire, leading to one detention in the Seprona inquiry.
- The combined fires in Ávila, Madrid and Toledo have burned an area reported between about 66,000 and 77,000 hectares, with roughly 50,000 hectares estimated in Ávila alone.
- More than 90,000 people have been evacuated or ordered to stay confined as the emergency has cut roads, damaged properties and threatened towns and tourist areas near the Sierra de Gredos and the pantano de San Juan.
- Thousands of firefighters and units from the Unidad Militar de Emergencias are deployed with planes, helicopters and heavy equipment, while the central government has banned mechanised harvesting and regional authorities are delivering forage and emergency aid to farmers.
- Authorities warn the next 48 hours are critical to stabilise the perimeter before a predicted heat wave, investigators will pass forensic reports to prosecutors, and the episode has intensified calls for stronger prevention and land‑management policies as EFFIS/Copernicus record an exceptional season of burned area.