The president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, has described the forest fire in Sierra Oeste as "the greatest natural disaster in the history of Spain". The fire has already ravaged 34,000 hectares and forced the evacuation of a dozen municipalities.
Isabel Díaz Ayuso visited the Advanced Command Post in Navalcarnero on Tuesday to assess the situation of the fire that has been devastating the Sierra Oeste of Madrid for days. There, the regional president stated that this is "the greatest natural disaster in the history of Spain", an unprecedented declaration that reflects the magnitude of a disaster that has already burned 34,000 hectares.
The figures far exceed any precedent in the region. Sources from the Community of Madrid compare the impact with the Robledo de Chavela fire of 2019, which burned 1,400 hectares. Now, the burned area has multiplied by twenty-four. "It is something that at least gives us a reason for hope," Ayuso pointed out, highlighting that despite the severity, no fatalities have been reported.
The fire remains active and the weather forecasts are not favourable. The heatwave expected to arrive from Wednesday, with gusts of wind and rising temperatures, will complicate firefighting efforts. In the area, 300 firefighters and forest agents from the Community are working, supported by 50 ground vehicles and five helicopters.
The emergency has forced the complete evacuation of a dozen municipalities: Aldea del Fresno, Navas del Rey, Chapinería, Colmenar del Arroyo, Fresnedillas de la Oliva, Robledo de Chavela, Navalagamella, Las Rozas de Puerto Real, Cenicientos, Cadalso de los Vidrios, Zarzalejo, and Valdemaqueda. Additionally, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Pelayos de la Presa, and Villa del Prado remain confined.
In these localities, life has come to a standstill. The health centres in San Martín de Valdeiglesias have reopened their doors and the López Rumayor residence has taken back the elderly people who were evacuated days ago. For farmers, a special time slot has been established that allows them to access their farms and feed their livestock.
The most critical situation is located north of the San Juan reservoir, in Valdemaqueda. The evacuation of this municipality was ordered by the Ministry of the Interior while Ayuso was speaking, highlighting the complex coordination between administrations. Further south, in San Martín de Valdeiglesias, officials describe a "hellish situation" with the fire advancing relentlessly.
The president has sought to project an image of unity with the other administrations. At the Command Post, she was accompanied by officials from the Community and the central government. However, the evacuation order for Valdemaqueda from Madrid introduces a nuance that reminds us that the management of large fires distributes responsibilities and, with them, political accountability.
This is not the first time a large fire has tested this balance in the Sierra. In 2019, the Robledo de Chavela fire —with 1,400 hectares— was managed without notable friction, although on a much smaller scale. Now, Ayuso's declaration of it as "the greatest disaster" carries evident political weight, both at the regional and national levels.
Beyond the figures and statements, the fire directly affects the residents of the area and the thousands of Madrilenians who frequent the San Juan reservoir and the Sierra Oeste. The El Escorial campsite, with 5,000 evacuated people, is just one example of the impact on leisure and daily life. The evacuees look to the sky and the wind, which will blow stronger starting tomorrow, while they wait to return to their homes.
The Community of Madrid is keeping all available resources active and is asking the public to avoid unnecessary travel to the area. The coming hours will be crucial to contain a fire that has already marked a before and after in the environmental history of the region.
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