The simultaneous advance of wildfires in central Spain has unleashed a new political confrontation between the Community of Madrid and the central Government. While the regional president of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, has requested the declaration of operational situation 3 of national interest, the Government Delegation questions the measure and demands documentation to support it.
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The emergency affects three autonomous communities (Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha and Castilla y León). In the Community of Madrid, the situation is critical with thousands evacuated and three main hotspots: one in Villa del Prado (affecting Aldea del Fresno), another in San Martín de Valdeiglesias (affecting Pelayos de la Presa) and the one originated in Almorox, Toledo, which is currently in a stabilization phase.
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Given this scenario, Díaz Ayuso warned via X that the fires are “beyond extinction capacity” and cautioned about the danger of fire from the province of Ávila worsening the situation in San Martín de Valdeiglesias, just as it happened the day before with the Toledo front. “Our personnel, along with the Military Emergency Unit (UME), are risking their lives to save lives and property,” emphasized the president, justifying the request for national and international aid given the very adverse weather forecasts for this Friday.
The president’s request has clashed head-on with the Government Delegation in Madrid. Its head, Francisco Martín Aguirre, has openly questioned the request to raise the emergency to level 3. “They have to explain and justify that request,” stated the delegate, who urged the regional administration to submit the relevant documentation in the coming hours for its evaluation.
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This exchange of statements occurs in parallel with the deployment of government ministers on the ground. At 23:00 hours, the Minister of Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, went to the advanced command post in Cenicientos to monitor the evolution of the flames.
Minutes before Madrid’s official request became known, the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, also used the social network X to assure that the Executive “has deployed all means to stop the terrible fires” in Ávila, León, Toledo, and Madrid. In his message, Sánchez conveyed his “recognition and gratitude” to the personnel, expressed his solidarity with the evacuated residents, and asked the population to follow the instructions of Civil Protection.
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