The Community of Madrid records 159 fires from January to July, a 6% increase from 2025, but the burned area reduces to 122 hectares, four times less. The operation has 6,100 personnel and a budget of 52.7 million.
The Environment Minister, Carlos Novillo, presented this Wednesday the provisional balance of the Infoma Plan, revealing a bittersweet trend: more fires, but more controlled. Of the 159 incidents recorded, 129 were minor (less than one hectare), demonstrating a rapid response capability.
Less wooded area burned
The total affected area amounts to 122.24 hectares, of which only 1.96 hectares were wooded land. This figure represents a 75% reduction compared to the average of the last eight years. Novillo highlighted that "the attack on fire is becoming faster" thanks to detection systems and immediate action protocols.
The increase in incidents is partly due to adverse weather conditions, with high temperatures and drought favouring spread. However, improvements in firefighting resources have minimised damage. A key fact: in 2026, ten more fires have been detected than the average of the last eight years, but the burned area is four times lower.
Reinforcement of the operation with 6,100 personnel
The firefighting device has been reinforced this year with 6,100 professionals and volunteers, a 2.3% increase from 2025. The budget allocated to the Infoma Plan amounts to 52.7 million euros, a 3.5% increase from the previous year. This is in addition to 38.7 million approved for the purchase of 36 heavy rural fire trucks, the largest acquisition of this kind in a decade.
The operation has 571 direct personnel distributed across 22 fire stations, 25 forest brigade bases, a Special Drone Group, 38 watchtowers, and four control cameras. Additionally, it has eight heliports with 10 helicopters, machinery bases, fire trucks, supply trucks, and mechanised units.
The Immediate Logistics Response Team of Civil Protection Volunteers (Erive) adds 100 more workers, coordinating with over 2,200 firefighters, 350 forest agents, 3,420 Civil Protection volunteers, and 180 professionals from Madrid 112, all under the Madrid 112 Security and Emergency Agency (ASEM112).
Criticism of forest management and rural abandonment
Novillo pointed out that, in addition to climatic conditions, the increase in fires is due to factors such as "rural abandonment and lack of agricultural practices". The minister defended the need to double forest management to prevent future incidents. "It is not just about putting out fires, but about keeping the mountains clean and active," he stated.
For residents of the Community of Madrid, the main recommendation is to exercise extreme caution in forest areas, especially during the highest risk weeks of July and August. The region has a 24-hour surveillance system that uses satellites, telecommunications, and cameras to detect any minor incidents early.
The minister concluded that "every year we are better prepared", but warned that "climate change forces us not to let our guard down". Investment in resources and coordination among emergency bodies are, according to the balance, the key to ensuring that, despite more fires, damage is increasingly minimised.
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