The regional president assures that the Government is already working on reconstruction without waiting for the fire to be completely extinguished. The plan, described as 'unprecedented', prioritises the return to normalcy for residents.
The president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, has announced that the regional Government has launched a recovery plan for the areas devastated by the large forest fire affecting several municipalities in the region. This has been done without waiting for the fire to be completely extinguished, she stated on Thursday after accompanying the Kings to the reception point for evacuees set up in Villamanta.
“Our obligation is to think about that scenario, about recovery. We are not going to wait. Madrid never stops. Its people neither,” the president affirmed, highlighting the commitment of the administrations to address the emergency and support residents. Ayuso emphasised that the plan will be “unprecedented” due to its speed and scope.
The president recalled the experience of the Community of Madrid in managing major disasters, citing previous actions in municipalities like Villamanta and Aldea del Fresno, as well as the response given after the DANA, the Filomena storm, and the pandemic. In those episodes, she noted, infrastructure, housing, and public facilities were rebuilt in record time.
The regional Government has already begun assessing the damage caused by the fire, with the aim of providing immediate assistance to the thousands of affected families. The priority is to restore public services in the affected municipalities, which include Villamanta, Aldea del Fresno, and other towns in the Sierra Sur and Southwest of the Community of Madrid.
Ayuso did not specify timelines or financial figures, but assured that the recovery will be “accelerated” and that all necessary resources will be allocated. “We have already activated a recovery that will also be unprecedented,” she insisted, referring to the magnitude of the fire, which has burned thousands of hectares and forced the evacuation of hundreds of people.
The fire, which began last weekend, has ravaged forested and agricultural areas in several municipalities in the western and southwestern parts of the region. The flames have forced evacuations and caused damage to infrastructure, although no fatalities have been reported so far. Extinguishing teams continue to work to control the fire, which has progressed due to high temperatures and wind.
The president thanked the emergency services, firefighters, forest agents, and volunteers, as well as the solidarity of residents who have taken in evacuees. She also highlighted the visit of the Kings, who went to the reception point to show their support for those affected.
The recovery plan will include, as Ayuso indicated, the repair of homes, roads, water and electricity networks, as well as direct aid to affected families and businesses. The Community of Madrid will coordinate actions with the municipalities of the affected areas to expedite procedures and ensure that aid reaches those in need as soon as possible.
Residents of the affected areas, many of whom have not yet been able to return to their homes, await with uncertainty the evolution of the fire and the support measures. “We have lost everything, but at least we are alive,” declared a resident of Villamanta at the reception point. “Now we need help to start over.”
The Community of Madrid has set up a helpline for those affected and has opened reception centres in nearby municipalities. It is expected that in the coming days the recovery plan will be specified with specific measures and a timeline for actions.
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