The fire, which jumped from Toledo to the Community of Madrid, remains active after a night of work. About 200 residents of the El Encinar del Alberche urbanisation are still relocated in a sports centre.
The forest fire declared on Wednesday afternoon in a pine forest near Almorox (Toledo) has fully affected the Community of Madrid. The flames crossed the regional boundary and reached the municipalities of Villa del Prado and Aldea del Fresno, forcing protective measures to be maintained for several residential areas.
After a night of intense work by the firefighting teams, the fire shows a favourable evolution, although as of 7:15 AM this Thursday, it was still not stabilised. Around twenty ground units have remained deployed throughout the night in the affected areas of both Madrid municipalities and the Toledo locality.
The majority of the people evacuated on Wednesday afternoon were able to return to their homes around 00:45 hours. The exception is the residents of the Madrid urbanisation El Encinar del Alberche, the closest to the advance of the fire. About 200 neighbours from this urbanisation remain relocated in the Villa del Prado Sports Centre, set up to accommodate those who cannot yet return to their homes.
On Wednesday afternoon, the evacuation of the El Pinar urbanisation and the confinement of El Romillo, both in Almorox, were also ordered. In the Community of Madrid, Emergencies initially asked the inhabitants of Villa del Prado to stay indoors, with doors and windows closed, to prevent the entry of smoke and particles.
The evolution of the flames later forced the evacuation of El Encinar del Alberche and requested that residents of Ribera del Alberche, Rincón del Alberche, and a nearby campsite move to the urban centre of Aldea del Fresno. These preventive measures remain in effect while firefighting teams continue to work to control the perimeter.
Traffic restrictions also persist this Thursday morning. Traffic remains cut off on the M-507 towards Navalcarnero and on the N-403 towards Toledo, at the intersection between both roads. The M-540 road is also still closed due to the proximity of the fire and the work of the emergency device.
Residents of the affected areas have expressed their concern about the evolution of the fire, although they appreciate the rapid response of the emergency services. The Villa del Prado City Council has set up an information phone line for residents and keeps the situation updated through its official channels.
Authorities recommend that the public avoid forest areas near the fire and follow the instructions of the emergency teams. It is expected that throughout the morning a more precise assessment of the fire's evolution and the possible lifting of restrictions can be provided.
The fire has highlighted the vulnerability of the urbanisations located on the border between Castilla-La Mancha and the Community of Madrid, where the forest mass and the proximity of homes require heightened prevention measures. The residents of El Encinar del Alberche hope to return to their homes in the coming hours, provided the evolution of the fire allows it.
You may also like
