Spanish police evacuate residents as wildfire threatens homes near Madrid

Updated: 23/07/2026 - 9:34 GMT+2 Guardia Civil officers evacuate residents in Villa del Prado, central Spain, as a fast-moving wildfire threatens homes near Toledo with flames and smoke. Spanish police evacuated residents from several communities near Toledo, south of Madrid, as a fast-moving wildfire threatened homes. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Footage released by the Guardia Civil shows officers going door to door urging people to leave, helping elderly residents to safety and searching properties to ensure no one was left behind. Thick smoke and flames can be seen surrounding residential areas as emergency services worked to protect communities. Authorities ordered the evacuation of several villages, while residents in another were told to remain indoors with doors and windows closed as firefighters battled the advancing blaze.