The wildfire situation in the Community of Madrid has become critical after the three active blazes in Villa del Prado and San Martín de Valdeiglesias merged into a single, highly virulent front. This confluence has raised the risk level in the region to its maximum and has led to the urgent evacuation of more towns, bringing the total number of displaced residents to over 11,500.
According to reports from the Advanced Command Post in Cenicientos by the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and the Minister of Environment of the Community of Madrid, Carlos Novillo, the fire has already scorched over 3,000 hectares of vegetation, with an affected perimeter that could reach 6,000 hectares. Meteorological forecasts anticipate "very complex" conditions for the next 24 hours, with wind gusts exceeding 50 km/h complicating the efforts of the deployed force, comprising nearly 300 personnel and 40 ground units, in addition to the request for four water-bombing aircraft.
Due to the unified advance of the fire, the 112 Emergency service has declared mandatory evacuations for the municipalities of Chapinería, Navas del Rey, and Colmenar del Arroyo. The Ministry of Transport has mobilized 24 intercity buses from the Regional Transport Consortium (CRTM) to transfer approximately 1,200 residents to designated reception points in Villaviciosa de Odón, Leganés, and Las Rozas or Madrid capital.
This operation continues the intensive work carried out during the early morning in Pelayos de la Presa, where many residents with reduced mobility were evacuated to Colmenar del Arroyo after the sports center in Chapinería became saturated. The night was also marked by the temporary closure of routes due to the flames approaching the roadways.
The unfavorable evolution of the emergency has forced a significant modification of the mobility scheme in the entire region. The Transport Consortium has temporarily suspended services on interurban lines 541, 545, 546, and 548 in Cenicientos, Villa del Prado, and surrounding municipalities. Line 551 will have its route shortened, with its provisional terminus now in Navas del Rey.
The Nature Protection Service (Seprona) of the Civil Guard has opened an investigation to clarify the origin of the incident. While the causes of the two blazes in Villa del Prado are yet to be determined, the fire in San Martín de Valdeiglesias originated from the accidental ignition of a vehicle traveling on the M-501 road at the entrance to the municipality.
