Climate
Wildfires near Madrid: 25,000 hectares burned, air quality alert issued
Massive wildfires across Madrid's Sierra Oeste and Ávila province have burned more than 25,000 hectares, forcing 80,000 people to evacuate or shelter in place. On July 25, 2026, Madrid's city authorities issued an air quality alert due to degraded conditions marked by orange haze and persistent smoke odor. By noon, 12 of the city's 14 monitoring stations reported 'fair' or 'poor' air quality levels. Spain's Health Minister Mónica García urged residents to stay indoors and wear FFP2 protective masks for any essential outdoor trips.