Madrid's social emergency service assisted 1,328 affected by the Sierra Oeste fire

The Community of Madrid deployed 32 professionals from the Social Emergency Service to assist those affected by the fire. They provided accommodation for 128 residents and coordinated 873 transfers.

The fire that ravaged the Sierra Oeste last summer left a trail of destruction still measured in social care figures. The Community of Madrid has revealed that its Social Emergency Service (SEM) assisted 1,328 people affected by the fire, a deployment that mobilised 32 professionals on the ground.

According to data provided by the Ministry of Family, Youth and Social Affairs, these teams worked tirelessly to respond to the residents of the affected municipalities. Among their actions, they notably provided accommodation for 128 people who lost their homes or had to evacuate, and coordinated 873 transfers and returns of evacuees and workers involved in the firefighting operation.

The minister in charge, Ana Dávila, visited the service's facilities to learn first-hand about the work carried out during the emergency. During her visit, she thanked the teams for their “tireless work, performed with extraordinary commitment, professionalism, and humanity for those who need it most. They are a source of pride for Madrid.”

The operation was reinforced by the addition of 25 volunteers from the field of Social Work, who joined in the tasks of guiding and accompanying those affected. This collaboration is part of the agreement signed with the Volunteer Corps of the Official College of Social Work.

The Social Emergency Service, which operates 24 hours a day throughout the year, carried out more than 12,000 interventions in 2025, nearly 20% more than the previous year. During this period, it provided support to over 4,700 Madrilenians facing family emergencies, homelessness, social risk situations among the elderly, cases of violence, fires, floods, and any other circumstance requiring urgent social response.

For the residents of the Sierra Oeste, this assistance has been crucial in their recovery following the fire. The service remains active, and any affected person still needing social help can contact their local municipal social services, which will refer the case to the regional service if necessary.