The Pozuelo de Alarcón City Council has mobilised its emergency services to prepare the Daniela Kaiser pavilion, with capacity for around a hundred people, in anticipation of evacuees from the fire that is affecting the west of the Community of Madrid.
The Pozuelo de Alarcón City Council has activated the reception device for evacuees from the forest fire that is devastating the western area of the Community of Madrid, now considered the worst in the region's history. The council received the official notice from the General Directorate of Emergencies at noon and has activated the Municipal Police, the Pozuelo Emergency Service (SEAPA), Civil Protection, and municipal services to prepare the Daniela Kaiser pavilion, located in the Valle de las Cañas sports complex.
The facilities have air conditioning, sufficient toilets and showers to accommodate around a hundred people. The local government is managing the provision of beds, food, and water to ensure the stay of evacuees if the evolution of the fire necessitates further evacuations from municipalities in the area.
The emergency has already led to the cancellation of rhythmic gymnastics classes scheduled for this afternoon in the pavilion. Additionally, other activities planned for the following week, such as summer camps, may be cancelled if it becomes necessary to use the space to house evacuees over the weekend.
The Pozuelo City Council thus joins other municipalities in the area, such as Las Rozas or Villaviciosa de Odón, which have already begun to receive evacuees. The council has apologised to users of the sports centre for the inconvenience and has assured that it will provide timely updates on cancellations as events unfold.
The fire, which began on Thursday afternoon, has forced the evacuation of thousands of people from several towns in the west of the Community of Madrid. The flames, fanned by the wind and high temperatures, have already ravaged thousands of hectares of forest land and destroyed several homes. Emergency services are working tirelessly to control the blaze, although adverse weather conditions are hindering firefighting efforts.
In Pozuelo, the reception device is ready to welcome evacuees at any moment. The Daniela Kaiser pavilion, with an area of over 1,000 square metres, has separate spaces for men, women, and families, as well as a rest area and a dining area. Municipal services have set up folding beds and have stocked non-perishable food and bottled water.
The mayor of Pozuelo, Susana Pérez Quislant, has visited the facilities to oversee preparations and has thanked the emergency services and volunteers for their efforts. “We are coordinating with the Community of Madrid and neighbouring municipalities to provide the best possible care for those who have been forced to leave their homes,” she stated.
The residents of Pozuelo have also mobilised to offer help. Numerous people have approached the sports centre to donate clothes, blankets, and food. The City Council has set up a collection point at the pavilion itself and has thanked the citizens for their solidarity, although it has requested that donations be channelled through official means to avoid duplication.
The Community of Madrid has activated level 2 of the Forest Fire Emergency Plan (INFOMA) and has requested the intervention of the Military Emergency Unit (UME). The deployed personnel exceed a thousand, including firefighters, forest brigades, forest agents, and Civil Protection volunteers.
For residents in Pozuelo, the main recommendation from the authorities is to stay alert to official information channels and to avoid unnecessary travel to affected areas. The City Council has set up an information phone line for evacuees and their families: 91 452 27 00.
The weather forecast for the coming hours is not favourable, with temperatures remaining high and winds that could fan the flames. Experts warn that the fire could last for several days, making the reception capacity of municipalities like Pozuelo crucial for accommodating the displaced.
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