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Spain's Madrid wildfire nears containment as 'decisive' hours begin, PM says

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Wednesday that firefighting efforts against a major wildfire near Madrid were progressing favorably, with the next 12 hours seen as decisive for containment. Tens of thousands of residents evacuated during the blaze have begun returning home. The fire is among the most severe Spain has faced this summer.

Smoke rises from a wildfire over a rural hillside
Smoke rises from a wildfire over a rural hillsidePhoto: K / Pexels
France 24 Europe1 h ago
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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Wednesday that firefighting efforts against a major wildfire near Madrid were progressing 'favourably', describing the next 12 hours as 'decisive' for bringing the blaze under control.

Tens of thousands of people who were evacuated as the fire spread have begun returning to their homes, even as crews continue working to contain what officials describe as one of the most severe wildfires Spain has faced this summer. Firefighters have battled the blaze for days amid an intense heatwave gripping the country.

Authorities are bracing for a new heatwave in the coming days, which could complicate remaining containment efforts. Spain's government has faced mounting scrutiny over wildfire preparedness as such fires have grown more frequent and destructive in recent summers.

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Source: France 24 Europe
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This article is an AI-curated summary of the original story published by France 24 Europe. The illustration is a stock photo by K from Pexels and is not from the original story.

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