The night was “quite positive,” said the minister, emphasizing the efforts of all public emergency services.
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The Spanish government declared a state of emergency last week due to some of the largest fires in the country’s history, which broke out in the Madrid region, Ávila province, Toledo, and eastern Valencia.
“It was quite a positive night, thanks to the huge efforts of all public emergency services,” F. Grande-Marlaska told Spanish public television.
“We are going through critical hours,” he said.
Firefighters remain very vigilant as meteorologists warn that from Wednesday, higher temperatures, lower humidity levels, and stronger winds could complicate fire control.
Officials were particularly concerned on Monday about the critical situation at the San Juan reservoir in the north, about 70 kilometers west of Madrid. However, F. Grande-Marlaska said the results of firefighting efforts carried out overnight there were “very positive.”
“Today we can be a little calmer, especially considering the weather conditions we expect to face in the coming hours,” he said.
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The head of the Madrid regional government, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, said that “the situation regarding the fires is gradually improving.”
She added that “today we can be more optimistic and start planning a safe return of residents to several municipalities.”
According to the Ministry of the Interior, 63,000 people have been evacuated, nearly half of whom are in the Madrid region. However, more than 4,000 residents were already allowed to return home in the Toledo area on Monday.
F. Grande-Marlaska indicated that the recent fires have burned 77,000 hectares. In total, 175,000 hectares have already burned in Spain this year – six times more than during the same period last year.
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