The councillor for Environment, Agriculture and Interior, Carlos Novillo, has reported that nearly 100,000 people have been evacuated or confined in the Community of Madrid and Ávila due to wildfires. Over 3,000 are staying in shelters set up by local councils.
The severe wildfire affecting the Community of Madrid and the province of Ávila has forced the evacuation or confinement of nearly 100,000 people, according to Environment, Agriculture and Interior councillor Carlos Novillo, at the end of the night meeting of the Integrated Operational Coordination Centre (CECOPI).
Novillo described the fire as a “true monster” and thanked the collaboration of citizens and the mayors of the affected municipalities. “They are facilitating and cooperating in the firefighting efforts. We appreciate how they are looking after them, as if they were their own neighbours,” he stated.
In the shelters and centres set up by various Madrid councils, more than 3,000 evacuated individuals are being attended to. The councillor expressed his hope to “reduce that number as soon as possible and for them to return to normality.”
The Government delegate in Madrid, Francisco Martín, assured that the night offered “good conditions” to fight the fire and that by Sunday morning they would be “better.” “We are going to take advantage of the window of opportunity that this night represents again to try to contain and cool the different fronts,” he affirmed after the CECOPI meeting.
Martín specified that the drop in temperatures and the increase in relative humidity improve the situation, although he warned that winds will be stronger than on Friday, which will hinder firefighting efforts. “The conditions will not be as optimal for working on the fire,” he emphasised.
The fire, which started on Friday, has already ravaged thousands of hectares in the border area between Madrid and Ávila. Emergency teams, with support from aerial and ground resources, are working tirelessly to contain the flames, which have advanced rapidly due to high temperatures and dry terrain.
Authorities have urged the population to follow the instructions of emergency services and to avoid unnecessary travel in the affected areas. Residents in areas close to the fire are advised to stay alert for official warnings and to prepare an evacuation plan if necessary.
The fire in Madrid and Ávila adds to other serious blazes affecting several regions of Spain and Europe. In Castellón, the Vall d'Uixò fire has forced the evacuation of 15,000 people from 15 municipalities and remains uncontrolled, with a perimeter of 21 kilometres. In France, wildfires have reached unprecedented figures, with 98,000 hectares burned and over 200,000 evacuated in the southwest of the country, particularly in the Gironde region.
The Community of Madrid has activated level 2 of the Forest Fire Plan (INFOMA) and has mobilised all available resources. The councils of the affected municipalities are collaborating in the reception of evacuees and in coordinating firefighting efforts.
It is expected that information on the evolution of the fire and the measures taken will be updated in the coming hours. Citizens can consult the official channels of the Community of Madrid and the Government Delegation to stay informed.
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