Spain has declared its first-ever national emergency over wildfires after multiple blazes near Madrid and in the neighbouring province of Ávila forced more than 10,000 people to evacuate and stretched firefighting resources.
The emergency was declared late on Thursday as fires burned across Villa del Prado, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Almorox and Burgohondo, with authorities warning that strong winds and adverse weather conditions could push the flames closer to the Madrid region.
Spain’s Interior Ministry said the unprecedented move was prompted by the simultaneous outbreak of several major fires, difficult weather conditions and the need to coordinate extensive resources from national, regional and local authorities.
The Madrid regional government requested central government assistance, describing the situation as one of “extreme gravity” and warning that some fires risked overwhelming existing firefighting capacity.
More than 270 emergency personnel, 40 ground units and several contingents from Spain’s Military Emergency Unit have been deployed to battle the blazes.
The declaration places the emergency under the direct authority of the interior minister, who will oversee the national response under Spain’s Civil Protection System. Officials said it was the first time such a measure had been invoked because of wildfires.
Spain, like much of southern Europe, has experienced increasingly severe wildfire seasons in recent years, a trend scientists largely link to climate change. Heavy spring rainfall fuelled vegetation growth, which has since dried out during prolonged periods of extreme summer heat, creating ideal conditions for rapidly spreading fires.
More than 100,000 hectares have already burned across Spain this year, roughly matching the country’s average annual total over the past decade.
via BBC
