Wildfires merge into worst blaze in Madrid's history: 25,000 ha burned, 70,000 evacuated as state of emergency declared
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warns of unpredictable winds as two fires merge into the 'Sierra de l'Ouest' mega-blaze; no fatalities reported, EU activates civil protection mechanism.
A merging firestorm
Three separate fires ignited west of Madrid early in the week of 20 July. By Friday 24 July, two had merged into a single blaze that emergency services named "Sierra de l'Ouest". By Saturday, it had become the worst fire ever recorded in the Madrid region, according to regional authorities, having burned 25,000 hectares (the figure had stood at 15,000 hectares in the morning, per El Pais). The flames also crossed into the neighbouring province of Avila in Castile-Leon. No fatalities had been reported as of Saturday afternoon.
- Three wildfires ignite west of Madrid.
- Two fires merge into 'Sierra de l'Ouest'; 1,200 vulnerable people evacuated.
- Fire burns at least 15,000 hectares; around 60,000 people displaced or confined.
- 25,000 hectares burned, over 70,000 evacuated; state of emergency declared, EU civil protection activated; PM Sanchez visits Cenicientos.
Mass evacuations and the Prime Minister's warning
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska announced on Saturday that more than 70,000 people had been evacuated. Earlier in the day, El Pais reported around 60,000 displaced or confined. The rapid escalation prompted the Spanish government to declare a state of emergency and activate the European Union's civil protection mechanism. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the village of Cenicientos, directly in the fire zone, and addressed residents.
Our priority, our concern, our objective, are your lives, saving your lives and protecting inhabited areas.
He added that the coming hours would be difficult because, even though temperatures had dropped, wind behaviour remained unpredictable.
A capital shrouded in ash
Thick brown-grey haze covered Madrid's sky on Saturday. Black ash settled on rooftops north of the city centre. The smell of smoke was acrid, forcing residents to keep windows shut and stay indoors. At San Lorenzo de El Escorial, the historic monastery was enveloped in smoke, AFP journalists observed. The mayor of Brunete, a nearby town, described the fire as the worst she had seen.
Every summer there are fires, but this one has been terrible.
Vulnerable groups moved and international help requested
On Friday, the regional government evacuated more than 1,200 elderly and disabled people from care homes and health facilities across the Madrid region. The Spanish government's emergency declaration came with a request for assistance via the EU civil protection mechanism. Firefighters worked through the night, using heavy machinery to create firebreaks and extinguish grass fires. Wind forecasts on Saturday morning offered some hope, with El Mundo reporting "more favourable" conditions for containment efforts.
Once again we are witnessing scenes where residents are forced to flee to save their lives, as flames are at the doors of their homes, in a feeling of despair at the thought of leaving behind their homes and livelihoods.
