The wildfire near kilometre 52 of the M-510 at Aldea del Fresno (Madrid Region) is showing positive signs, according to Emergencias 112 At around 21:30 on 19 August 2026, the fire was considered stabilised; overnight, the situation was downgraded under the plan INFOMA by Situación Operativa 2 on Situación Operativa 1 The authorities are maintaining surveillance and will assess further steps in daylight.
The fire was discovered at around 14:30 on 19 August. Because it was spreading rapidly and winds were unfavourable, the Community of Madrid initially activated Situación Operativa 2 of the Plan Especial de Protección Civil de Emergencia por Incendios Forestales. Protective measures were subsequently ordered in the area: Aldea del Fresno was temporarily sealed off, and this initially also applied to the neighbouring town of Villamantilla. There were also isolated evacuations of residential developments and individual homes near the fire.
During the night, 17 ground units from the Comunidad de Madrid fire service and forestry crews worked in the area, according to consistent statements from the authorities. They extinguished hotspots, secured and consolidated the fire perimeter using heavy machinery, and used reconnaissance technology such as drones to locate and cool remaining heat sources. The operational status was downgraded because containment had progressed and wind and temperature conditions had improved. Technical teams plan to reassess the situation in daylight before deciding on further measures.
Preliminary media estimates put the affected area at around 300 hectares. Final damage maps and a reliable assessment of the area have not yet been completed and will be published after the inspection. The authorities have so far given no information on the cause of the fire.
The incident is part of a series of wildfires in the Sierra Oeste that have been affecting the region for weeks. Although the risk of the fire reigniting remains after the downgrade to Situación Operativa 1, the situation is considered under control as long as mopping-up and monitoring continue. The Comunidad de Madrid notes that the INFOMA plan is adjusted dynamically according to the weather, terrain conditions and progress of operations, and that additional forces can be deployed at short notice if needed.
Editor: Andreas M. Brucker (Article created with AI assistance).