The fire, which has already reached the nearby campsite, is advancing relentlessly towards the municipality of Ávila. The mayor denounces a lack of help and the residents, theoretically evacuated, refuse to leave.
The wildfire that has been ravaging the Sierra de Gredos for days has reached the Casavieja campsite, just three kilometres from the urban area. The village, with just over a thousand inhabitants, is trapped between flames and smoke, but its residents have decided to stay to protect their homes.
“We have been asking for help for two days, we knew it was going to get out of control and no one came,” the mayor recounts, her voice breaking, as she watches the fire advance inexorably. “Now it is impossible to do anything,” she adds.
Despite evacuation orders, most residents remain in the municipality. “We are going to stay, someone has to do it,” the mayor declares. In the streets, groups of young people come down from the mountain with shovels and cloths over their faces after trying to stop the flames alongside the firefighting brigades.
The Military Emergency Unit (UME) is going from village to village to ensure that all evacuees are safe. However, in Casavieja, many refuse to get into military vehicles. They prefer to fight with their own means, even though the danger is evident.
“We are experiencing this with a lot of anger and helplessness,” the mayor insists. The orange and yellow smoke visible from the road has turned into a greyish haze that barely allows breathing. Ashes fall from the sky like soot, and any spark could ignite new areas.
Residents criticise that the authorities have focused on protecting homes and have abandoned the mountains, leaving a desolate landscape around the village. “They have decided to focus on the houses and abandon the mountains,” they denounce. The fire, which has already devastated thousands of hectares in Ávila and Madrid, remains uncontrolled.
Meanwhile, in the municipality, a father swings his child just moments before receiving the most feared news: “The fire has reached the campsite.” The situation is becoming increasingly critical, but the determination of the residents does not waver. “Whatever has to happen, will happen,” they repeat like a mantra.
The fire, which started two days ago, has forced the evacuation of several localities in the area. The flames are advancing rapidly, fueled by the wind and the dryness of the land. The UME continues to work on extinguishing the fire, but the priority now is the safety of the people.
For the inhabitants of Casavieja, leaving is not an option. “Someone has to stay to defend what is ours,” concludes the mayor, as the fire continues its unstoppable course.
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