Madrid wildfire nightmare returns as new blaze forces villages to evacuate

Madrid’s wildfire nightmare has returned to the doorstep of the capital after a new forest fire in neighbouring Segovia forced two communities to evacuate and another to stay indoors.

Los Angeles de San Rafael and Vegas de Matute were evacuated on Sunday, August 9, after the wildfire near Las Navas de San Antonio was raised to Level 2 on Spain’s Potential Severity Index, the highest level used under the regional system. Residents in nearby Valdeprados were told to stay indoors as firefighters battled the advancing flames.

Just over two weeks after a huge wildfire tore through Madrid’s Sierra Oeste, the latest emergency has brought another wave of anxiety to communities across central Spain. Although this fire is in Castilla y Leon rather than the Community of Madrid, it is burning in the countryside northwest of the capital and close to areas already badly affected by this summer’s fires.

New Spain wildfire forces evacuations near Madrid

The Segovia fire began on Saturday after a car caught fire on the hard shoulder of the AP-6 motorway near the Telégrafo area of Las Navas de San Antonio.

Flames spread from the roadside into surrounding countryside, with high temperatures, strong winds and heavy vegetation making conditions difficult for firefighting crews.

By Sunday, 41 firefighting resources had been deployed, including five helicopters, eight ground crews, six water tenders and eight airborne brigades.

A rapid deterioration in conditions led emergency authorities to order the evacuation of Los Angeles de San Rafael and Vegas de Matute. People with their own transport and somewhere safe to stay were advised to leave independently, while buses were provided for those needing assistance.

Sierra Oeste fire left Madrid facing a huge recovery operation

Memories of Madrid’s disastrous Sierra Oeste wildfire are still painfully recent. Three separate fires around Almorox, Villa del Prado and San Martin de Valdeiglesias joined together on July 24, creating a huge fire front that threatened communities across western Madrid and neighbouring areas.

⏰ 14:55h Reproducción del #IFBurgohondo en la zona alta de Mijares (#Ávila). Ya está el helicóptero en la zona. Día de mucho viento del suroeste. pic.twitter.com/EzD8v5oH0E

— MeteoÁvila (@Meteoavila2) August 9, 2026

At the height of the emergency, more than 56,500 people were evacuated or confined, according to the latest figures published by the Madrid regional government. Around 34,000 hectares were affected within the Community of Madrid, with the fire damaging woodland, scrubland, pasture, crops and infrastructure.

Burnt countryside has barely had time to recover

Roads have also suffered extensive damage. Around 200 kilometres of regional roads are being assessed for repairs, with work needed to restore routes affected by the flames.

Esto es un ataque directo con maquinaria pesada, realizado esta noche en el #IFCastropodame. #INFOCAL de @jcyl
Su trabajo es fundamental para cerrar y asegurar el perímetro. Van acompañadas por #AAMM o #CCMA #RepoblacionesPersonat https://t.co/G0Ctp9IqkQ pic.twitter.com/PaqL1FVEfL

— Naturaleza Castilla y León (@naturalezacyl) July 23, 2026

Families who lost homes have been offered emergency housing support, while financial assistance has also been announced for businesses and self-employed workers affected by the disaster.

For many residents, however, recovery is about far more than rebuilding roads and properties. Wildlife habitats, woodland and agricultural land have all been damaged, leaving a landscape that will take years to recover.

Spain’s wildfire season so far shows no sign of easing.