Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande Marlaska, has issued a warning about the complex fire risk situation throughout the national territory, emphasizing that the next three days, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, will be "very tough" due to the new heatwave. High temperatures are compounded by a "significant" drop in humidity and a southerly wind that also hinders firefighting efforts.
Marlaska has called for "total and absolute prevention" and assured that the Government remains vigilant across the country, in close coordination with the autonomous communities. Regarding the fire affecting the center of the peninsula, with main focuses in the provinces of Ávila and Madrid, which remain at national emergency level three, the minister indicated that work is progressing with "reasonably positive" results, despite adverse weather conditions.
Firefighting efforts are concentrated this Wednesday on three fundamental hotspots: to the north, around the San Juan reservoir (Madrid), and in Ávila, in the areas of Casillas and Mijares. Operations include "active surveillance and aerial control" to identify and act on hot spots, as well as the creation of firebreaks with heavy machinery on the ground.
The minister maintains that firefighting teams have the capacity to contain the fire, although he acknowledges that certain circumstances can make it "unattackable," forcing teams to assume disproportionate risks. To anticipate the fire's development, satellite data and drones are being used to establish the "most reasonable" strategy.
