Spain Declares State of Emergency Due to Wildfires

Spain declared a nationwide state of emergency on Friday due to widespread wildfires. The measure allows the central government to coordinate the response to three fires burning in mountainous areas west of Madrid and in the neighboring province of Avila. More than 10,000 people have been evacuated from the affected areas.

More than 270 rescue workers, 40 ground units and several detachments from the Military Emergency Unit (UME) are responding to the fires. According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), more than 350 fires have broken out in Spain since the start of the year.

France is also battling wildfires. Authorities there have ordered a complete evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula on the Atlantic coast, from which approximately 40,000 people have left, many transported to safety by boat. The fire has already burned 8,700 hectares.

President Emmanuel Macron said France has requested activation of the European Union's Civil Protection Mechanism. Specialized firefighting aircraft from other European countries are expected to arrive soon to assist.

(Reuters, Lud)