The forest fire that started in Almorox (Toledo) has jumped to the Community of Madrid, where it has already destroyed or damaged around thirty homes in Villa del Prado and Aldea del Fresno. The UME has been deployed and there are confinements in the area.
The forest fire declared this Wednesday in Almorox (Toledo) has crossed the provincial boundary and has forcefully entered the Community of Madrid, directly affecting the municipalities of Villa del Prado and Aldea del Fresno. The fire, which is advancing rapidly, has already surpassed around thirty homes, as confirmed by the Government delegate in Madrid, Francisco Martín.
In statements to Cadena SER, Martín detailed that “around thirty homes have been overtaken by the fire, some completely destroyed and others damaged on the exterior.” The number of affected properties could increase in the coming hours, as the fire “is still not under control,” the delegate specified.
The Civil Guard has proceeded to evacuate the El Encinar del Alberche urbanisation in Villa del Prado and has confined the urban area of this locality. Confinement has also been activated in Aldea del Fresno, the other Madrid municipality most threatened by the flames. “Right now we are focusing more attention on Villa del Prado and Aldea del Fresno,” Martín emphasised.
The images released by the Civil Guard show a hurried evacuation of residents, who had to leave their homes with only what they were wearing. Despite the virulence of the fire, the Government delegate has assured that “the evacuation has been effective and we do not have to regret any injuries or people intoxicated by smoke at this time.”
The Military Emergency Unit (UME) has been activated quickly and is already working on the ground alongside the Community of Madrid's forces and local firefighters. “The firefighting efforts are beginning and the UME has been activated very swiftly,” noted Martín, who thanked the “infinite effort” of all the public agents involved.
The fire started in the Toledo town of Almorox, bordering Madrid, and has advanced northeast into the Community of Madrid. The affected area has a long history of complex fires due to the vegetation and dispersed demographics. “This year we are facing a fuel situation that worries us,” the delegate acknowledged, referring to the accumulation of dry biomass following a winter and spring with scarce rainfall.
However, the weather conditions offer some hope. “The expectations are positive” for the night, Martín indicated, as a window of lower wind and higher humidity is expected, which could facilitate firefighting efforts. “It is important that we can eliminate the risk as soon as possible,” he added.
So far, no personal injuries have been reported, but the material damage is already significant. The Government delegate has urged “caution and attention” from the public and warned that if the fire evolves unfavourably, new evacuations or confinements could be decreed. “We will continue to provide precise instructions,” he assured.
The evacuated residents have been relocated to centres set up by the Villa del Prado Town Hall, while those confined in Aldea del Fresno remain in their homes awaiting further instructions. Access roads to the area have been closed to traffic to facilitate the passage of emergency services.
This fire adds to an especially virulent summer campaign in the region, with several fires declared in recent weeks in the Sierra de Madrid and the southwest of the community. Authorities insist on the importance of taking extreme precautions and avoiding any activities that could generate an ignition source in the natural environment.
