Overview
- The blaze ignited on July 17 near Méntrida, about 50 km southwest of Madrid, and consumed roughly 3,000 hectares during 37 °C heat and gale-force winds.
- Forest Fire Prevention and Extinction Service crews, backed by over 95 firefighters, ground units, air tankers and water-bombing planes, secured 95 percent containment by the morning of July 18.
- Smoke plumes cast an orange tint over Madrid and severely reduced visibility, prompting health advisories for residents to shelter indoors and keep windows closed.
- Dozens of people were evacuated under Spanish Civil Guard protection, and several roads were reopened as visibility improved.
- EU Copernicus data show Europe warming at twice the global average since the 1980s, intensifying heat and drought conditions that elevate wildfire risks.