The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has stated that "we are closer to defeating the fire" in the wildfires in Madrid and Ávila, although the next 12 hours will be "decisive" for consolidating the extinguishing efforts. He has called for a Climate State Pact in response to the climate emergency.
On Wednesday, the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, visited the Advanced Command Post in Navalcarnero (Madrid) to monitor the evolution of the wildfires affecting the provinces of Madrid and Ávila. During his appearance, he assured that the evolution "continues to be favourable" and that "we are closer to defeating the fire", although he urged "maximum caution" as containment and cooling efforts continue to prevent possible reignitions.
Sánchez warned that "the next 12 hours will be decisive in consolidating the work done by the National Civil Protection System". The head of the Executive pointed out that the new heatwave and gusts of wind could worsen the situation, so he has called for maintaining alertness.
The President attended the meeting of the State Coordination and Direction Committee of the State Emergency Plan (CECOD), chaired by the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska. He also met with the heads of the emergency and coordination devices working in the affected areas, to whom he expressed his "deep gratitude" for their "extraordinary work".
At present, according to Sánchez, there are ten active wildfires across Spain. The ones in Madrid and Ávila remain at operational level 3, which means they have come under the jurisdiction of the Government of Spain and the National Civil Protection System. The President highlighted that this is the first time that level 3 of national emergency has been reached in the fight against wildfires and that "the collaborative experience of all institutions is proving very positive".
"Our only adversary is the fire, and our main priority is to save lives, population centres, and defeat the fire," Sánchez emphasised, praising the "team spirit" of all the administrations involved.
The President has committed that the State "will provide all necessary resources" for the reconstruction of the affected territories. He recalled that the Council of Ministers has already approved the declaration of a seriously affected area due to a civil protection emergency, which allows for immediate processing of aid to residents.
In addition, Sánchez has reiterated his call for a Climate State Pact in response to the climate emergency. He has appealed "to all public institutions, to all political forces, to all social groups" to achieve "a united response in reacting to serious disasters such as wildfires, as well as in prevention and reconstruction".
The President has asked for "patience, understanding, and trust in the institutions" from citizens who are still confined or evacuated. "Our priority is their safety and saving lives," he insisted, and expressed hope that "in the coming hours more evacuated residents can return to their homes with maximum guarantees".
"There are no political decisions here, but decisions backed by science and experts," Sánchez stressed, also thanking the work of the media, "vital in emergencies like this to inform accurately and combat falsehoods and misinformation".
For citizens in the affected areas, the recommendation is to pay attention to the authorities' instructions and not to return home until it is confirmed safe. Aid for the declaration of a catastrophic area is already being processed, and the Government has promised to expedite payments.
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