Spain battles uncontrolled wildfire near Valencia as 15,000 people evacuated

Sunday 26 July 2026 - 10:30

By: Sahili Aya

Spain battles uncontrolled wildfire near Valencia as 15,000 people evacuated

Spanish firefighters are battling a fast-spreading wildfire near the coastal city of Valencia, where at least 15,000 people have been evacuated as authorities struggle to bring the blaze under control.

The fire, affecting areas in eastern Spain, has created a major emergency situation, with officials warning that the flames have exceeded current firefighting capacities. The affected perimeter has expanded to around 21 kilometres, although authorities have not yet determined the full extent of the burned area.

Juanfran Perez Llorca, president of the Valencia region, said the situation remained difficult and described the fire as a challenge beyond available containment resources.

The blaze has already caused a fatality near Manises, where one person died in a vegetable garden and orchard area affected by the flames, according to local authorities.

Spain’s emergency response has been intensified as several regions face simultaneous wildfire threats. In addition to the Valencia area, authorities ordered evacuations in eight municipalities near Toledo because of fires spreading west of Madrid.

The Spanish Interior Ministry announced the evacuation measures for several communities, including Buenaventura, Navamorcuende, Real de San Vicente, Hinojosa de San Vicente, Castillo de Bayuela, Garciotum, Nuño Gómez and Pelahustán, as a precaution against advancing fires.

Earlier, officials reported that around 60,000 people had been evacuated in the Madrid region due to wildfire risks.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said firefighters were prioritising the protection of residents and rescue operations, while warning that crews were facing complex conditions due to weather factors and changing winds.

The latest fires come during a period of intense heat and dry conditions across parts of southern Europe, increasing pressure on emergency services and highlighting growing concerns over the impact of extreme weather events.