The Community of Madrid will request the activation of Operational Situation 3 of national interest due to the wildfires affecting the region. More than 10,000 people have been evacuated in several municipalities.
The Community of Madrid has requested the activation of Operational Situation 3 of national interest due to the evolution of the wildfires affecting the region. The request, made by the Minister of Environment, Agriculture and Interior, Carlos Novillo, responds to the severity of the fires, which are beyond the capacity for extinction and pose a serious threat to the population.
Currently, three autonomous communities —Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, and the Community of Madrid— are experiencing simultaneous wildfires of extreme severity. In the Madrid region, the main active hotspots are located in Villa del Prado, affecting Aldea del Fresno; San Martín de Valdeiglesias, which was caused by a vehicle fire on the M-501 road and is affecting Pelayos de la Presa; and a fire that originated in Almorox (Toledo) and reactivated at noon on Thursday, impacting the Community of Madrid. Additionally, there is the fire in Burgohondo (Ávila), whose evolution, favoured by weather conditions, could affect the region in the coming hours.
Authorities warn that these wildfires have a high potential for spread and are currently beyond the capacity for extinction. The emergency has forced the evacuation of more than 10,000 people in various Madrid municipalities, including Villa del Prado, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Pelayos de la Presa, and Aldea del Fresno.
The firefighting operation involves over 270 professionals and 40 ground vehicles. In Villa del Prado, 21 vehicles and 90 personnel are working, while in San Martín de Valdeiglesias, 17 vehicles and 65 personnel have been deployed. The Military Emergency Unit (UME) has two sections in San Martín de Valdeiglesias and a third in Villa del Prado, with 40 personnel in each. Additionally, personnel from the Community of Madrid Firefighters and the Madrid City Council are coordinating their efforts to protect the population and minimise damage.
Minister Carlos Novillo has stated that the fires are beyond the capacity for extinction and pose a serious threat to the population. Authorities are maintaining constant monitoring of the evolution of the fires and are asking the public to always follow the instructions of emergency services.
Operational Situation 3 of national interest allows for the mobilisation of additional state resources and coordination of the response with other autonomous communities. This activation represents a reinforcement in the fight against the wildfires, which have been favoured by adverse weather conditions, with high temperatures and winds that hinder extinction efforts.
Residents of the evacuated areas have been relocated to shelters set up by the municipalities, while authorities recommend avoiding unnecessary travel in the affected areas. Emergency teams continue to work to control active fronts and prevent the flames from spreading to new areas.
The Community of Madrid has activated all available resources to address this critical situation, which affects thousands of people and significant areas of forest land. Citizen collaboration and compliance with the recommendations of the authorities are essential to ensure everyone's safety.
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