A wildfire that ignited on Thursday afternoon in the Madrid municipality of Lozoyuela remains uncontrolled after a night of intense firefighting efforts, authorities reported on Friday. The blaze, which has already scorched approximately 700 hectares of land, has prompted the activation of the regional INFOMA plan at Operational Situation 2, mobilizing extensive resources including the Military Emergency Unit (UME). The fire, located between the towns of Manjirón, Cinco Villas, and Buitrago del Lozoya, has forced the confinement of around 2,000 residents and the evacuation of about 100 people, including 50 minors from a summer camp.
The Spanish Civil Guard has arrested a 52-year-old man as the suspected perpetrator of the fire. According to the Government Delegate in Madrid, Francisco Martín, the suspect was detained near the affected area while attempting to flee. Witness accounts from local residents were instrumental in identifying and apprehending the individual, who was found carrying a lighter. Martín noted that the suspect has recent prior records related to similar incidents in other parts of Spain, underscoring the seriousness of the case.
Firefighters and forest agents have been working tirelessly through the night to establish a perimeter around the fire before weather conditions worsen due to expected winds. The goal, as stated by Martín, is to bring the blaze under control by Friday morning. Aerial resources have been deployed to support ground crews, and the advanced command post has been set up at the Lozoyuela fire station, where authorities have been coordinating the response. The Madrid 112 emergency service confirmed that teams from Summa 112 and Erive are also on site, along with various ground units.
The wildfire in Lozoyuela has reignited concerns about forest fires in Spain, coming just a week after the devastating fire in Los Gallardos, Almería, which claimed 13 lives. The regional government issued an ES-Alert message to residents in the affected areas, instructing them to remain confined in their homes. As of Friday morning, the municipalities of Manjirón and Cinco Villas remain under confinement orders, while evacuated residents have been allowed to return to their homes. Traffic on roads M-126 and M-135 remains suspended to facilitate emergency operations.
The UME deployed 40 personnel on Thursday evening to assist in firefighting efforts, following a request from the Madrid regional government. The blaze is one of several active wildfires across Spain, with the largest currently burning in Orés, Aragón, where 12,000 hectares have been charred and nearly 700 residents evacuated from six towns. The Lozoyuela fire, while smaller in scale, has drawn significant attention due to its proximity to populated areas and the rapid response required to prevent further damage. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with firefighting operations expected to persist throughout the day.
