Forecasters anticipate readings close to 40C across several zones in the days ahead, and the hot spell is projected to continue at least through the weekend.

The national weather service Aemet cautioned that extreme fire risk will keep climbing, making suppression work increasingly difficult.

Regional leader Ayuso stated that four towns remain under lockdown while 12 others have been cleared. She previously called the blazes the worst natural disaster in modern Spanish history and likened the scene to a war zone.

Within the Madrid region more than 56,500 residents have left their homes since the fires began last week, while another 27,797 have been told to shelter indoors.

Additional departures have occurred in Ávila, Toledo and Valencia.

Ayuso posted on X that conditions are easing gradually and some families could return soon.

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska told national television that overnight operations produced encouraging results.

"We are pleased with the progress made this morning and will build on it," he said.

He stressed the need for optimism because the emergency is now contained, yet admitted weather patterns continue to complicate matters.

Reporter Juan Navarro, reporting from Cebreros roughly 40 miles west of Madrid, said locals view the coming heatwave with dread.

Driving through nearby villages reveals only blackened landscapes, he noted.

Before the next Cecopi meeting, mayors of two evacuated Madrid towns described the fire as "a kitten by night and a lion by day."

Robledo de Chavela mayor Fernando Casado vowed his town would keep fighting "with knives out."

Valdemaqueda mayor Ricardo Meneses agreed, warning that residents must stay vigilant to halt the advance.

A psychologist at the shelters told El Mundo that anxiety is rising among displaced people.

"Some arrive calm on day one, expecting a quick return," said Sara Casado of the Madrid region Citizen Services Department. "As hours stretch into days, uncertainty grows and so does their distress."

The Madrid region remains under a red alert, with peaks forecast at 35C in the mountains and 38C elsewhere.

The national delegation in Madrid reported the fire is still active and unchecked.

Today's focus will be on monitoring and cooling burned zones ahead of worsening weather, officials added.

Minister for ecological transition Sara Aagesen said roughly 77,000 hectares have burned nationwide.

The Ávila blaze ranks as the largest in recent national history, she noted.

In Ávila, where more than 50,000 hectares have been lost, the government representative described overnight progress as quite favourable.

Nicanor Sen added that small flare-ups are being watched closely by crews.

Valencia authorities lifted the lockdown for Vall D'Uixo after a 25 July fire that forced 16,000 people from 20 towns to leave.

Across the border in Portugal, firefighters continue battling a large blaze on three fronts in the eastern Guarda region.