The fires in Madrid and Ávila give the first respite and allow residents of 13 municipalities to return home

A long round of applause echoed this Tuesday through the Espartales pavilion, in Alcalá de Henares. The residents of Cenicientos had just received the news they had been waiting for days. As of 5:00 p.m., they could pack their bags, get back on the buses, and start their return home after the evacuation caused by the Sierra Oeste fire.

Joy also reached seven other municipalities in the Community of Madrid and five towns in Ávila. The Ministry of Interior has initiated the de-escalation of the emergency and has lifted evacuation orders in 13 municipalities, after a night in which the firefighting teams managed to stop the advance of some of the most dangerous fronts.

The return begins with caution. The fires remain active and have not yet reached the stabilization phase. Authorities have asked residents to respect the instructions of Civil Protection, use masks in areas affected by smoke, and take extreme self-protection measures given the damage they may find in homes, streets, and basic services.

An applause before packing bags

The news suddenly changed the atmosphere in Espartales. Civil Protection informed the displaced residents of Cenicientos that it would organize their return by bus and asked them not to undertake the journey on their own, even if they had their own vehicle. Minutes later, goodbyes, hugs, and expressions of gratitude began towards those who had accompanied them during the evacuation.

The pavilion has functioned during these days as a small improvised neighborhood. Entire families have shared the facility with elderly people, children, and pets, while volunteers attended to everyone's needs, adapted schedules for those who had to continue working, and prepared specific spaces for cures, breastfeeding, and veterinary care.

Among those already packing their bags was Jorge Antonio, a resident of Cenicientos, who arrived at the pavilion on Saturday with his wife and his dog Jara. "We're leaving now, thank God, finally", he celebrated after learning of the decision. During his stay, he received food, medical attention, and veterinary help for his pet.

Jorge Antonio still remembers the red sky over the municipality and the ash entering the streets before the Civil Guard ordered them to abandon their homes. He and his wife gathered the essentials and headed to the buses without knowing when they could return. Now they face the return with relief, although pending the condition in which they will find their house and the restrictions that will remain in force.

The days shared have also left a close relationship between evacuees and volunteers. Ángela Roldán, a member of Civil Protection, has described the last few days as a mix of tiredness, anguish, and happiness. The daily interaction ended up making each family know by name the people in charge of assisting them.

The celebration, however, remains incomplete inside the pavilion. The residents of Zarzalejo will have to remain for now in Espartales, waiting for the evolution of the fire to allow their evacuation to be lifted as well. While one part of the enclosure collects blankets and luggage, another remains pending the next decisions of the emergency command.

Thirteen municipalities exit evacuation

In the Community of Madrid, residents of Cadalso de los Vidrios, Cenicientos, Navalagamella, Navas del Rey, Rozas de Puerto Real, Aldea del Fresno, Chapinería, and Colmenar del Arroyo can return. The order has come into effect from 5:00 p.m. and the return will be carried out in an organized manner.

In Ávila, the end of the evacuation reaches Fresnedilla, Burgohondo, Higuera de las Dueñas, Pedro Bernardo, and the southern area of Navaluenga. Interior has also lifted the confinement in the center of Navaluenga and in Las Navas del Marqués.

The de-escalation also affects Villa del Prado and San Martín de Valdeiglesias. Villa del Prado leaves behind the confinement except in the Encinar del Alberche urbanization, which remains evacuated. In San Martín, residents of Costa de Madrid, San Ramón, Javacruz, La Javariega, and Veracruz remain out of their homes.

The emergency continues to condition the lives of thousands of people. In Madrid, Robledo de Chavela, Fresnedillas de la Oliva, Zarzalejo, and Valdemaqueda remain evacuated. Pelayos de la Presa, Santa María de la Alameda, and the urbanizations that are outside the de-escalation remain confined or evacuated.

In Ávila, Sotillo de la Adrada, Navahondilla, Casillas, Santa María del Tiétar, La Adrada, Piedralaves, Casavieja, Hoyo de Pinares, Villanueva de Ávila, La Atalaya de El Tiemblo, Gavilanes, and Mijares remain evacuated. El Tiemblo and Cebreros remain confined.

Fernando Grande-Marlaska explained that the work carried out during the early morning has shown a "reasonably positive" evolution in the north of the San Juan reservoir and in the vicinity of Valdemaqueda. The outbreaks in Casillas and Mijares have also progressed favorably, although the teams continue to work to consolidate every meter gained from the fire.

"We are currently containing the fire," said the Minister of the Interior. Stabilization is still ahead, and the arrival of a new heatwave threatens to complicate extinction efforts starting this Wednesday. Air and ground resources remain deployed at points where any change in wind can reignite the flames.

The national balance reflects the harshness of this summer. The fire has burned 173,651 hectares since the beginning of the year, almost six times more than during the same period in 2025, and Spain has already registered 35 large forest fires compared to the seven recorded then.