The forest fires affecting the provinces of Ávila and Madrid were declared "technically stabilized" this Wednesday, as reported by the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska. This improvement has allowed most of the evacuated or confined population to return home, although precautions such as wearing masks are still recommended.
These fires have ravaged nearly 70,000 hectares in Ávila and Madrid. Despite stabilization, the level three alert and the declaration of a national emergency remain in effect in both areas.
In contrast, the fire that began on Saturday in Vall d'Uixó (Castellón) remains uncontrolled, with an 82-kilometer perimeter and facing a "critical night." The count of burned hectares has been revised downwards to 9,300.
Additionally, a new fire declared in Fermoselle (Zamora) has led to the confinement of the local population and the evacuation of twelve nearby municipalities. Es-Alert messages have been sent to the affected areas.
In Fermoselle, night-time firefighting efforts involved nearly fifty resources to protect homes and urban centers. Two new towns, Villar del Buey and Pasiegos, were evacuated, including the 25 residents from a nursing home in Villar del Buey, who were transferred to the city of Zamora.
The Junta de Castilla y León has announced that it will approve aid this Thursday for families displaced by the Ávila fire, as well as for the agricultural sector, self-employed individuals, and other affected parties, including direct aid for losses in agricultural production and livestock.
In the Community of Madrid, the 24 reception centers set up following the full resettlement of residents from the 17 affected municipalities by the western sierra fire have been closed. For those unable to return to their homes, a contract with Cruz Roja remains in place to guarantee accommodation and maintenance.
Furthermore, the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has formally proposed to the European Commission that Mallorca host the future headquarters of the European hub for combating fires in the western Mediterranean.
The fire in Villalbilla (Madrid) has been contained and is not expected to spread, according to the 112 emergency service of the Community of Madrid. Eight ground fire crews will remain in the area to cool hot spots.
The mayor of Fermoselle, José Manuel Pilo, has compared the current situation to the 2017 fire in the Arribes del Duero.
Firefighters from the Provincial Fire Extinction Consortium of the Diputación de Zamora have worked to defend homes in Fermoselle and Palazuelo de Sayago and will continue throughout the night.
The forest fire in San Cipriano del Condado (León) has forced the evacuation of four residential areas and the closure of the N-621 road.
