Spain: Two Madrid wildfires merging, fire "out of control"

Two significant wildfires west of Madrid are rapidly merging, creating a massive inferno that is advancing towards the town of Navas del Rey. Regional prefect Francisco Martín announced that the fires, originating in San Martín and Villa del Prado, are "on the verge of merging" into one large blaze, forcing the evacuation of several villages in the affected area.

Firefighters are battling the escalating situation, with the fire described as "out of control." The scale of the crisis has prompted an international response, with the European Union deploying four water-bombing aircraft to support Spain's efforts. This deployment adds to existing resources already allocated to combatting fires across the continent.

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The two fires, that of San Martín and that of Villa del Prado, are on the verge of merging and transforming into a single blaze that is progressing towards Navas del Rey.

"We are preparing for a difficult situation," stated Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, a spokesperson for the European Commission, highlighting the severity of the wildfires. The situation remains critical as efforts continue to contain the rapidly spreading flames and protect communities in the path of the advancing fire.

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We are preparing for a difficult situation.