The José Caballero Municipal Sports Centre in Alcobendas has received 165 evacuees from Navalagamella due to the fires affecting the southwest of the Community of Madrid. The mayor, Rocío García Alcántara, has supervised the reception operation.
The Alcobendas City Council has set up the José Caballero Municipal Sports Centre since Thursday night to accommodate 165 evacuees from the municipality of Navalagamella, one of the areas most affected by the wildfires ravaging the southwest of the Community of Madrid. The evacuees arrived on several buses around 9:00 PM and were welcomed by the mayor, Rocío García Alcántara, and the councillor for Civil Protection and Emergencies, Carlos Rodrigo.
The mayor highlighted the solidarity of the municipality: “Alcobendas stands by those suffering from the largest fire in the history of the Community of Madrid, and that is why we want to welcome this group of evacuees from Navalagamella as if they were neighbours of Alcobendas.” García Alcántara thanked all the entities involved in the operation for their collaboration.
The assistance operation is coordinated by the 112 Security Agency of the Community of Madrid, the Red Cross, and the Military Emergency Unit (UME), who are working in the Amaya Valdemoro and A pavilions of the sports centre. They also have the support of Civil Protection volunteers, local police officers, and citizens who have selflessly offered their help.
The Alcobendas City Council has mobilised nearly 300 chairs to make the stay of the evacuees more comfortable and has reinforced waste collection in the area. It has also provided two vehicles for the operation: a transport van for evacuation tasks and a Civil Protection 4x4.
Several companies in the city have joined the aid effort. Carrefour has donated 250 dinners and 250 breakfasts, while the catering company Urrechu has provided additional food. The council has offered up to 400 places for possible new arrivals, depending on the evolution of the fires.
The wildfires, which began on Wednesday, have affected several towns in the southwest of the region, including Navalagamella, and have forced the government to declare a national emergency. The flames have devastated thousands of hectares and have forced hundreds of residents to evacuate.
For the moment, the 165 evacuees will remain in Alcobendas at least for tonight, waiting for conditions to allow their return home. The City Council is maintaining the operation and will continue to collaborate with the Community of Madrid in firefighting and population protection efforts.
The mayor has expressed her gratitude “to all the people participating in this large assistance operation” for their help and collaboration, and has assured that the council will continue to provide support as long as necessary.
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