Wildfire near Toledo forces evacuations south of Madrid

Spanish authorities on Wednesday ordered evacuations in several districts around Toledo, south of Madrid, after a major wildfire threatened homes.

Emergency alerts were sent by telephone to residents in the affected districts. Emergency services said that, because of the fire's progression, three villages had been ordered evacuated. People in a fourth village were told to remain inside with doors and windows closed until further notice.

Toledo is 75 kilometres, or 45 miles, from Madrid.

The new blaze spread while hundreds of firefighters were also fighting another major wildfire that has devastated a large area about 100 kilometres north of Madrid.