This text has been automatically translated, it may contain errors or inaccuracies.

FIRES IN SPAIN

Favorite
Remove from my list

The fires in Madrid and Ávila are still out of control, but the fire has lost steam

More than 60,000 people are evacuated or confined. This Saturday the wind may make it difficult to put out the fire again; the European Union will send four amphibious aircraft, and Pedro Sánchez has visited the affected area.

Advertisement
18:00 - 20:00

Major forest fires in the south-west of theCommunity of Madrid and in the province of Ávila remain active and out of control, although weather conditions last night have made it possible to slow the spread of fire and significantly reduce its strength.

However, the improvement may be temporary, as forecasts suggest that the wind will intensify againthis Saturday, which could make it difficult to extinguish.

The fire at the south-west end of the Community of Madrid has already burned more than 6,000 hectares, while the Ministry of the Interior estimates that more than 60,000 people have been evacuated or confined to the Community of Madrid and Castilla y León as a result of the fires.

Due to the magnitude of the emergency, the European Union has activated the Civil Protection Mechanism, which will send four amphibious aircraft to assist in the extinction work, two from Greece and two from Italy.

The calm of the wind has dampened the spread of fire.

According to the Government Delegation in Madrid, the fires "have progressed very little" during the night and have "significantly lost strength" due to improved weather conditions.

The calming of the wind, the increase in humidity and the lowering of the temperature have enabled extinction groups to strengthen their fire protection lines and halt their spread.

However, the situation remains very serious, weather forecasts indicate that the wind will intensify again during the morning and there will be sudden changes of direction, which could reactivate some of the fire fronts and complicate the work of the emergency services.

The 112 emergency service of the Community of Madrid has stressed that the fire brigade and other resources have been operating uninterrupted throughout the night and have also warned that the development of the fire will depend to a large extent on the wind in the next few hours.

Ten municipalities are still evacuated, and three more are confined.

As a result of the emergency, ten municipalities remain empty in the Community of Madrid: Chapinería, Navas del Rey, Colmenar del Arroyo, Fresnedillas de la Oliva, Robledo de Chavela, Navalagamella, Valdemaqueda, Aldea del Fresno, Zarzalejo and Peralejo.

In addition, confinement measures remain in force in the municipalities of San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Pelayos de la Presa and Villa del Prado.

In addition, there are restrictions on traffic on roads M-501, M-507, M-512 and M-533, particularly to facilitate the operation of emergency services.

Pedro Sanchez visits the Advanced Command Post

The President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, travelled this Saturday to the Advanced Command Post established in Cenicientos (Madrid) to receive first-hand information on the development of fires and extinction work.

During the visit, he participated in the meeting of the State Coordination and Steering Committee (CECOD), together with the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and the heads of the emergency operation.

In a message posted on social network X, Sanchez said: "I would like to convey my full support and solidarity to the thousands of citizens who are having a very difficult night today, who have had to evacuate their homes or are confined to protect their lives.

All the administrations are working together and in coordination to put out the fire and ensure public safety.

My appreciation and gratitude to all the public service workers who are working hard against the fire and who are making a great effort to protect homes and preserve our natural environment.

We are in a very serious situation, and it is time to act responsibly and strengthen unity in the face of the emergency, and we need to speed up the necessary arrangements to deal with the climate emergency, otherwise we will put the lives, regions and territories of people across our country at risk. "

You might like

Load more
Advertising
X