Wildfires near Madrid: over 40,000 people evacuated or confined, the State triggers a national emergency

The key points in 5 bullets

• Overcast skies over Valencia, up to 32 degrees with no rain
• Wildfires near Madrid, over 40,000 people evacuated or confined
• Geely buys 34% of Ford Almussafes for 221 million
• Free guided tours of archaeological sites in Valencia
• Correfoc and fireworks close out the Feria de Julio

Today's essentials

Today's highlight is being validated. The practical info below is up to date.

Today's weather

Today's weather in Valencia: overcast and muggy, up to 32 degrees. Valencia stays under overcast skies this Friday 24 July, with 26 degrees in the early morning and up to 32 degrees in the afternoon, with no rain forecast, according to Open-Meteo.

In the city, the wind stays light (up to 13 km/h) and the chance of rain is zero: a grey but hot and slightly muggy day, where shade and water make all the difference during the middle of the day. Inland, around Bunyol, the thermometer swings between 23 and 32 degrees with equally overcast skies and wind of up to 14 km/h. On the southern coast, in Tavernes de la Valldigna, you get 26 degrees at the low end and 32 at the high end, with no rain and a light breeze of 12 km/h: perfect for enjoying the beach early in the morning or late in the day rather than in the middle of the afternoon.

Transport and traffic

Real-time feeds from EMT / Metrovalencia / Renfe / Aena / DGT are still being wired in; no incidents reported by the local press at this hour.

What changes for you

• Ford Almussafes: Geely pays 221 million for 34% of the plant. Geely has paid 221 million euros to take a 34% stake in Ford's Almussafes plant, a deal that values the Valencian site at 650 million, according to Las Provincias. If you work at Almussafes or in the automotive supply chain around Valencia, this is news worth watching closely: the arrival of the Chinese group Geely in the plant's ownership shapes the future of one of the region's biggest industrial employers. Nothing changes overnight for employees, but keep an eye on communications from the company and your works council to understand what this reshuffle is setting up for the workload and jobs at the site.
• Health: the Consell puts 12.5 million into flu vaccines. The Valencian Consell is releasing 23.1 million euros to buy syringes and catheters, and 12.5 million for flu vaccines, according to Valencia Plaza. In practical terms, this purchase is preparing the region's flu vaccination campaign for next autumn. If you are registered with the Valencian health system and fall into one of the priority groups (older people, chronic illnesses, healthcare workers), remember to watch for the campaign opening at your health centre so you can book an appointment as soon as it starts, since the vaccination is free there.

Local news to know

• Valencia opens its archaeological sites for free. To mark International Archaeology Day, Valencia City Council is offering free guided tours of several of its landmark archaeological and historical sites, according to Valencia Bonita.
• The best things to do this weekend in Valencia. Valencia Secreta has published its selection of things to do in Valencia this weekend, from outings to late-July activities.
• Fallas 2027: still no agreement on the Ofrenda. With no agreement reached, the Fallas 2027 flower Ofrenda looks set to run over two days and until 4 in the morning, according to Valencia Secreta, amid a debate that keeps dragging on over how the ceremony is organised.

Tonight and tomorrow, Valencia

• The Mediterranean is close to a heat record. The Valencia buoy is recording sea water at around 28.6 degrees, close to a record never seen in July, and experts are not ruling out reaching 30 degrees this summer, according to Valencia Extra. Which is to say a swim is more lukewarm than refreshing right now: if you really want to cool off, it is better to aim for early morning, when the air is still mild.
• Correfoc and fireworks close out the Feria de Julio. Valencia wraps up its pyrotechnic festival this weekend with a big correfoc and a spectacular fireworks display, according to Valencia Bonita. Two much-anticipated events for fans of gunpowder to finish the Feria de Julio in style: if you love the atmosphere, scout out the correfoc route and arrive a little early to find a good spot.
• A busy weekend from 24 to 26 July. Valencia and the Valencian Community are heading into one of the busiest weekends of the summer, from 24 to 26 July 2026, with a programme that fills the streets and squares, according to Valencia Bonita. Between the north and south of the region, the calendar is overflowing with events for this last weekend of July: plenty to find something to do near you, both during the day and in the evening.

See the full agenda, tonight and tomorrow