The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has acknowledged that Saturday was not a positive day, although the situation could improve slightly this Sunday. The fire in the Community of Madrid affects 50,620 people, with 29,488 evacuated and 21,132 confined.
Saturday night was particularly challenging for residents of the western mountains of the Community of Madrid, where the forest fire, active since Thursday, has forced the evacuation or confinement of over 50,000 people. The fire, which also affects the provinces of Ávila and Toledo, has mobilised the Military Emergency Unit (UME), firefighters, and forestry brigades, who are working tirelessly to contain the flames.
The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, described Saturday as a "not positive" day, although he highlighted that the situation "has not worsened" thanks to the efforts of the emergency teams. In statements to the media, the minister indicated that the night "will not be easy", but he is hopeful that the situation "may improve slightly" this Sunday.
For his part, Lieutenant General Francisco Javier Marcos, head of the UME, wanted to convey a message of calm: "The fires are not controlled, but the situation is." Marcos explained that, although there were initial fears of a complete union between the two major fires, a "technical union" has occurred with a very small discontinuous front in the area of San Martín de Valdeiglesias.
According to the latest data from the Ministry of the Interior, the fire in the western Madrid mountains affects 50,620 people: 29,488 have been evacuated and 21,132 remain confined in their homes. The evacuated municipalities in the Community of Madrid are Robledo de Chavela, Fresnedillas de la Oliva, Chapinería, Navas del Rey, Colmenar del Arroyo, Cenicientos, Aldea del Fresno, Cadalso de los Vidrios, Rozas de Puerto Real, Navalagamella, the district of Peralejo, and Zarzalejo.
In Ávila, the forest fire affects 40,000 people, of which 32,000 have been evacuated and 8,000 confined. Civil Protection activated the ES-Alert system to order the evacuation of the municipalities of Pedro Bernardo, Fresnedilla, Higuera de las Dueñas, Mijares, and Gavilanes, due to the advance of the fire from Burgohondo. Previously, a preventive evacuation had already been ordered for Sotillo de la Adrada, Navahondilla, Casillas, Santa María del Tiétar, La Adrada, Piedralaves, Casavieja, Burgohondo, Hoyo de Pinares, and Villanueva de Ávila.
The Ministry of the Interior also expanded the declaration of national interest emergency to the province of Toledo, where evacuations took place in the municipalities of Buenaventura, Navamorcuende, El Real de San Vicente, Hinojosa de San Vicente, Castillo de Bayuela, Garciotum, Nuño Gómez, and Pelahustán, as well as Sartajada, Almendral de la Cañada, and La Iglesuela del Tiétar. In total, 4,715 people have been affected in this region.
Adverse weather conditions, with wind and high temperatures, have hindered firefighting efforts. Aerial resources had to suspend their operations during the night, forcing ground efforts to focus on preventing the flames from reaching new inhabited areas. The UME has deployed hundreds of personnel across various fronts, supported by firefighters from the Community of Madrid and forestry brigades.
Residents of the affected towns have had to leave their homes with only what they could carry; many have been relocated to shelters set up by local councils. In Robledo de Chavela, the municipal pavilion has become a reception centre, while in Navas del Rey, an information point for evacuees has been established. Authorities recommend that the public remain calm and follow the instructions of Civil Protection.
The Minister for the Environment of the Community of Madrid has assured that all available resources are being allocated to control the fire and has urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel in the area. "The priority is to protect the lives of people and material goods," she stated.
This Sunday, weather forecasts indicate a slight improvement, with a possible decrease in wind, which could facilitate firefighting efforts. However, authorities warn that the risk of reactivation of the fire remains high and that the emergency will not be declared over until the flames are completely extinguished.
For residents of the western Madrid mountains, uncertainty continues. Many spent the night in relatives' homes or in shelters, waiting to return to their houses. Emergency services are working against the clock to make that return as soon as possible.
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