Marlaska says that the fires in Madrid and Ávila are progressing "slowly" but "positively"

The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has chaired the CECOD in Navalcarnero and reported that the wildfires that have already burned 77,000 hectares are progressing slowly but with a positive trend.

The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, assured on Sunday night that the wildfires affecting the western mountains of the Community of Madrid and the provinces of Ávila and Toledo are evolving "slowly" but in a "positive" manner. In statements after presiding over the State Committee for Coordination and Direction of the State Emergency Plan (CECOD) at the Advanced Command Post in Navalcarnero, the minister highlighted the progress made by the firefighting services despite the fact that "the weather is not helping us at all."

Marlaska emphasized that the situation has improved since Saturday, although he warned that progress is slow. "Everything is very slow," he reiterated, and noted that the weather forecast for the night will not be "as positive as we would like." The fire, which has already devastated 77,000 hectares, is considered by the minister to be "the most important and aggressive fire in the history of Spain."

Regarding the distribution of the burned hectares, Marlaska updated the figures: 47,000 hectares correspond to Ávila, 27,000 to the Community of Madrid, and 2,000 to Toledo. This total figure exceeds the 77,000 hectares initially mentioned. The minister specified that on Sunday there was no "substantial alteration" in evacuations or confinements, except in the El Encinar del Alberche urbanization in Madrid.

The areas that most concern the emergency teams are the south-west of the front, especially in Ávila, Mijares, and San Martín de Valdeiglesias, where there is a risk of both fires converging. There is also concern for the areas of "active flame" and those that may suffer re-ignitions. Marlaska expressed hope that "tomorrow we can also wake up to a reasonable and positive development," as occurred on Saturday night mainly in the Ávila area.

The Advanced Command Post in Navalcarnero, in the southwest of the Community of Madrid, has become the coordination centre for the operation, which mobilizes hundreds of personnel from the Military Emergency Unit (UME), firefighters, and forestry brigades. The evolution of the fire is being closely monitored by the authorities, who do not rule out new confinements if conditions worsen.

For the residents of the Community of Madrid, especially those in localities such as San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Navalcarnero, and others in the southwest, the situation remains critical. Authorities recommend maintaining caution and following the instructions of emergency services. Updates on the state of the roads and possible new evacuations are expected in the coming hours.