The wildfire in the western mountains of Madrid has forced the evacuation or confinement of over 60,000 people. The flames are advancing towards El Escorial, where the UME is preparing defensive lines.
The wildfire that has been affecting the western mountains of the Community of Madrid since Thursday has forced the evacuation or confinement of over 60,000 people, according to the latest report from the authorities. The fire, which officials acknowledge is "beyond extinguishing capacity," is advancing towards the municipality of El Escorial, where the Military Emergency Unit (UME) has established defensive lines to protect the historic centre.
The majority of those affected, around 50,000 people, correspond to evacuations in Madrid municipalities such as Villa del Prado, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Pelayos de la Presa, Aldea del Fresno, Chapinería, Navas del Rey, Colmenar del Arroyo, Robledo de Chavela, Fresnedillas de la Oliva, Navalagamella, and Zarzalejo. Late on Friday, an additional 5,000 evacuees were reported from a campsite in El Escorial due to the proximity of the flames.
Moreover, around 13,000 residents from the province of Ávila have also been evacuated due to another fire that authorities fear could merge with the one in Madrid, forming a single front that is difficult to control. The Community of Madrid has coordinated the transfer of over a thousand elderly people, those with disabilities, and minors who were staying in residences in the affected areas.
During the night, firefighting services have worked "intensively" to take advantage of favourable weather conditions, with less wind and higher humidity. However, the 112 emergency services of the Community of Madrid have warned that the fire remains active and its evolution will depend on the wind patterns in the coming hours. The emergency response has deployed 17 ambulances, a psychologist, and two intensive care units (ICU) to assist residents.
The Community of Madrid has urged citizens to avoid travelling to the affected areas, not to visit reservoirs or nearby recreational areas, and to follow the instructions of security forces. "Facilitating the work of emergency teams helps save lives," the regional government reminded in a message on social media.
The Government delegate in Madrid, Francisco Martín, had previously reported 40,000 affected individuals and warned that the fire was heading towards El Escorial. The UME has established defensive lines to protect this historic municipality, which houses the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Meanwhile, telephone and internet communications are gradually being restored in the affected areas, according to the Community of Madrid. Work on telecommunications infrastructure has reduced the impact on residents and ensured the continuity of connections.
The fire has also sparked political controversy. The Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, has criticized the Community of Madrid's decision to explore "all administrative and legal avenues" against the actions of a group of firefighters who, according to the regional government, "may have compromised the operations of the emergency teams." "They are relentless. They will end up pursuing the firefighters themselves," Puente stated on the social media platform X, where he asserted that "there are reasons to be very afraid of these people," referring to the government of Isabel Díaz Ayuso.
Local authorities recommend that residents of evacuated municipalities do not return to their homes until emergency services authorize it. For those needing information, the 112 service of the Community of Madrid has set up a helpline. The weather forecast for this Saturday indicates rising temperatures and moderate winds, which could complicate firefighting efforts.
