Spain faces critical days in battle against wildfires

Spain is bracing for two crucial days as it battles wildfires raging west of the capital, Madrid. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska described Monday and Tuesday as "decisive" for gaining control over the blazes, warning that weather conditions are set to deteriorate significantly from Wednesday.

The local authorities reported that the fires slowed overnight on Monday, but the situation remains serious, with citizens urged to exercise "extreme caution." The most active fire is located north of the San Juan reservoir, approximately 70 kilometers west of Madrid.

Temperatures are expected to climb from Tuesday, potentially reaching the mid-30s across large parts of Spain and France, and nearing 40 degrees Celsius in the Madrid region. This heatwave follows recent wildfires in the Valencia region and neighboring France.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has emphasized the connection between these events and a "climate emergency," calling for a national agreement to address the climate crisis. Tens of thousands of Spaniards have already been evacuated from their homes.