Combining changeable and very intense wind In Tres Cantos, a fire broke out that spread unusually quickly from Monday afternoon, with outbreaks that spread in a matter of minutes from the eastern part of Nuevo Tres Cantos to residential areas. The Community of Madrid activated INFOMA level 2 and requested the support of the UME in the face of a front that was difficult to contain due to the gusts close to 70 km/h and low humidity.
The provisional balance leaves one fatality —a man rescued with extensive burns who died at La Paz Hospital—, in addition to evacuations, material damage, and a perimeter already stabilized by early morning. Authorities remain vigilant due to the forecast of new wind changes starting at noon and they ask the population to be cautious while the finishing work continues.
Wind gusts and origin of the fire
The fire started after 19: 30-19: 45 hours in a pasture area of Nuevo Tres Cantos and, favored by a dry storm, advanced about six kilometers in about 40-45 minutes. The smoke was visible from several municipalities and the smell of burning was perceived even in the south of the capital, while flights at Barajas Airport were not affected by a favorable change of wind, according to AENA.
The speed of the front forced punctual cuts of the M-607 —at the height of the M-40 and other points— which were later reopened, and the loss of light prevented the operation of the aerial means until dawn due to the poor visibilityDuring the night, work was primarily done on water lines, heavy machinery, and opening firebreaks.
The Civil Guard, with the support of Seprona, focuses the investigation on natural causes linked to the dry storm and wind. In the industrial environment, explosions in nearby warehouses and facilities - with the intervention of firefighters for their protection - without any significant toxic effects being found, and extreme measures were taken in sensitive areas such as the Normon laboratories.
Authorities recommended that residents of the affected areas close doors and windows, avoid outdoor exercise and do not use air conditioning equipment that draws air from outside. The haze and smoke raised pollution levels at times, with ash detected many kilometers away due to the effect of the prevailing wind.
Evictions, damages and provisional balance
As a precautionary measure, the following were evacuated: 180 people of the Soto de Viñuelas, Fuente El Fresno and Ciudad del Campo residential areas (San Sebastián de los Reyes). The Tres Cantos City Council enabled the Enrique Más Sports Center and other municipal spaces for relocation, where he slept approximately a hundred of neighbors, while a preventive order in Ciudalcampo was finally deactivated.
As for damages, at least four houses severely affected in Soto de Viñuelas, as well as damage to enclosures, gardens and vehicles. King’s College suffered partial damage and several facilities and properties in the area were damaged; Vinuelas Castle It has no damage, according to the assessment carried out at the beginning of the day.
The fire has been especially hard on the livestock environment: more than 150 sheep from local farms and have died nearly about twenty horses at a horse riding school. The seriously injured worker who tried to help the animals—a stable boy—later died in the hospital, an outcome that has shocked residents and staff in the sector.
The affected area is around the thousand hectares, mostly grass and scrubland with some trees, awaiting final delimitation through coordination flights. Facilities for Animal Protection and agricultural farms in the area.
Emergency and evolution device
The operation has integrated the EMU; 23 fire brigades from the Community of Madrid and 11 from the Madrid City Council; Forestry Brigades (with 26 fire engines, three tanker trucks, drones and several excavators); Forestry Agents; SUMMA 112 and SAMUR; ERIVE; as well as Local Police, National Police, Civil Guard, and Civil Protection groups from various municipalities.
With INFOMA level 2, the unified command has been coordinated from the command post at the fairgrounds, with CECOPI meetings to adjust the strategy to deal with the wind. The Minister of the Environment, Carlos Novillo, described a very explosive behavior of the fire, caused by the dry storm and the heat, with a progression rarely seen in the region.
During the early morning the fire was extinguished perimeter and stabilized in critical sectors, opening an operational "window" from 2:00 a.m. when the wind subsided and aerial resources could be reinstated with daylight. Even so, the prudence in view of the forecast of new gusts at midday and to heed official instructions.
The recommendations Keep windows closed in areas near the perimeter and avoid outdoor activities if there is smoke. Access roads remain open, and returns to homes are being staggered as safety and the absence of hot spots close.
In parallel, the Forestry Brigades —in indefinite strike Since July, they have operated on minimum services and have reiterated their demands for stability and protection against occupational hazards, without diminishing their involvement on the front line during the toughest hours of the operation.
With the fire contained and under close surveillance, the focus now turns to the damage assessment, support for the residents and the recovery of the natural environment of Viñuelas; an episode that highlights the extent to which the wind in Tres Cantos can multiply the risk and complexity of a fire in a matter of minutes.