The 46 elderly individuals who were transferred to the Valdeluz Residence in Tres Cantos due to the Sierra Oeste fire have returned to their hometowns. The Community of Madrid lifted the evacuations after the fire was stabilised.
The 46 elderly individuals who were evacuated to the Valdeluz Residence in Tres Cantos because of the Sierra Oeste wildfire have now returned to their municipalities. The Community of Madrid lifted the evacuation measures after the fire stabilised and the emergency situation evolved favourably.
The return was carried out with the support of five ambulances from the Community of Madrid, a bus, and an adapted vehicle from the Red Cross. The elderly evacuees were from Rozas de Puerto Real and San Martín de Valdeiglesias, towns in the Sierra Oeste affected by the fire.
From the very beginning, the Tres Cantos City Council mobilised all necessary municipal resources to collaborate with the operation, in coordination with the Community of Madrid, aiming to meet all the needs of the displaced residents.
During this week, the mayor of Tres Cantos, Jesús Moreno, accompanied by the councillor for Family and Equality, Sonia Lolo, visited the residence several times to inquire about the condition of the evacuated individuals. The councillor for Family, Youth, and Social Affairs of the Community of Madrid, Ana Dávila, also wanted to see firsthand the care provided to the residents and their progress.
In recent days, the City Council delivered about ten boxes of clothing and other essential items for the accommodated residents, with participation from various entities and organisations in the municipality, such as the San Camilo Assistance Centre, Cáritas from the Santa María Madre de Dios Parish, and the Alcampo hypermarket.
The mayor of Tres Cantos, Jesús Moreno, expressed gratitude for “the extraordinary work carried out by all the professionals involved and the exemplary coordination between administrations, which allowed for the swift, close, and high-quality care of these individuals.” Additionally, the mayor highlighted “the immense solidarity demonstrated by the neighbours, entities, and businesses of Tres Cantos, who once again responded exemplary in an emergency situation, showcasing the committed and generous spirit of our city.”
For her part, the councillor for Family and Equality, Sonia Lolo, noted that “it has been a source of pride to see how Tres Cantos has come together from the very start to ensure that the evacuated elderly felt accompanied, safe, and cared for.” She also thanked “the involvement of all the collaborating entities, as well as the excellent work carried out by the professionals at the Valdeluz Residence in Tres Cantos and the municipal services during these days.”
In recent hours, the Community of Madrid has reported the gradual lifting of evacuation measures following the technical stabilisation of the Sierra Oeste fire, allowing residents and those transferred from residences and care centres to return to their places of origin. This decision was made after the favourable evolution of the fire and the reports issued by emergency services, which continue to work on the ground to consolidate the perimeter and prevent possible reactivations.
The authorities maintain a call for caution and remind everyone of the importance of following the instructions of emergency services at all times while monitoring and extinguishing efforts continue.
The Valdeluz Residence in Tres Cantos has demonstrated its capacity to accommodate in emergency situations, and citizen collaboration has been key. This episode underscores the importance of solidarity among municipalities in the Community of Madrid and the preparedness of assistance resources to respond to natural disasters.
You may also like
