Regional authorities described the fire, which started on Thursday about 100 kilometers from Madrid and has consumed more than 29,000 hectares, as one of the 'most complex fires' in Spain's contemporary history, according to the Agence France-Presse (AFP).

This comes as a new heat wave is expected to begin on Tuesday, raising authorities' concern about dealing with the fire raging in the province of Guadalajara.

During a firefighting operation of a large fire in the La Merla area, about 100 kilometers north of Madrid, Spain, July 20, 2026 (AFP)

In the same context, the president of the Castilla-La Mancha region, Emiliano García-Page, said the fire required the largest mobilization of firefighting teams in the region's history, after about 600 firefighters and military personnel were called up to participate in extinguishing operations on Monday-Tuesday night, with 29 aircraft and helicopters operating simultaneously to fight the flames.

He added: 'We are beginning to see a glimmer of hope after days of fighting the flames, but it is too early to declare victory,' noting that firefighting teams had largely succeeded in stopping the fire's advance toward the neighboring Castilla y León region.

Smoke rising from a wildfire in La Merla, Guadalajara, Spain, July 20, 2026 (EPA)

Complicating control efforts, the fire broke out in a semi-uninhabited area characterized by extreme drought and large amounts of neglected forest and vegetation, which contributed to the rapid spread of the flames, according to authorities.

For its part, the 'Wildfire Fighting and Prevention Service' (INFOCAM) announced that about 1,200 people have been evacuated so far, with no deaths or injuries reported.

Spain had witnessed, on July 9 of this month, one of the deadliest forest fires in its modern history, specifically in the Andalusia region in the south of the country, resulting in the deaths of 13 people and the destruction of about 7,000 hectares of land.

In recent years, Spain has experienced longer and more frequent heat waves, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, providing favorable conditions for large and destructive wildfires.